Tottenham Hotspur have a glut of young attackers in the squad right now, and despite the addition of Europa League there just aren’t enough minutes to go around for everyone. So it’s likely we’ll see one or both of Alejo Veliz and Dane Scarlett head out on loan this season, and possibly also Will Lankshear, depending on whether Ange Postecoglou thinks BIG WILLY LANKS is ready for limited first-team minutes in Europa and cups.
But today’s rumor is about Veliz, who today has been linked with a full-season loan move to Southampton, who promoted back to the Premier League last season after winning the playoff over Leeds. This is according to Eduardo Burgos in AS, who has been covering the Copa America for the publication this summer and has ties to South American football.
Tottenham y Southampton negocian la cesión de Alejo Véliz hasta final de temporada.
Cesión sin opción de compra. Alejo es considerado como parte fundamental del proyecto Spur a largo plazo.
Las conversaciones van bien y ya hay contacto directo con el jugador. pic.twitter.com/Fy23MtVlwP
— Eduardo Burgos (@edu17burgos) August 6, 2024
This would be a “dry loan,” i.e. a loan with no purchase option or obligation, meaning “Lumpus” would return to Spurs at the end of the season
This would be a really good opportunity for Veliz, who had a miserable time on loan at Sevilla last season playing for a manager who didn’t want him and who was beefing with club leadership. I doubt that will be the case at Soton. Adam Armstrong is Southampton’s leading goal scorer last season and a solid Championship striker, but he’s been bad in the Premier League before, and Che Adams, Ben Brereton Diaz, and Ryan Fraser have all moved on. That means while the starting job is Adams’ to lose and Veliz would likely be competing with Sekou Mara (3G+2A in 564 minutes at age 21 and who is a very different striker to Veliz) for rotation minutes, there would be plenty of chances for him to play Premier League minutes for Soton this coming season.
AS isn’t the best source, but this feels like a plausible rumor regardless, and maybe the best situation he can land in. He’d join a bottom-half Premier League side in need of attacking depth and should get opportunities to play and impress, if he takes them. I’d be more than happy to see this loan come good, and hope Veliz would be able to establish himself well next season.
UPDATE (Tues.): According to Sky Sports News’ Michael Bridge, this is all bogus and there’s no truth to the loan moves. Sigh. Teach me to consider a report in AS credible against my better judgment.
Am told no truth in Alejo Véliz Spurs to Southampton loan reports.
— Michael Bridge (@MichaelBridge_) August 6, 2024
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