It barely even feels like Alejo Véliz belongs to Tottenham anymore, but that is still the case until next month. Now the striker appears to have played his final home match for Rosario Central in emotional fashion.
According to Olé, Véliz played and scored in what looks set to be his farewell appearance at the Gigante de Arroyito before his upcoming move to Bahia.
As we covered earlier this year, the Brazilian club agreed a €9m (£7.6m) deal with Tottenham, finally bringing an end to a chaotic transfer story involving the City Football Group.
The striker’s loan officially expires on 30 June, although for a long time it looked like he could leave much earlier.
Long goodbye after months of drama
Alejo Véliz’s move to Bahia took far more twists than most people expected.
At different stages, there were talks about January exits, compensation payments to Rosario Central and even alternative deal structures involving future buy-back clauses for Tottenham. At one point, it felt like the transfer story changed every couple of days.
In the end, Rosario Central stood firm and managed to keep the striker until the end of the loan spell.
Véliz wanted to stay in Argentina, finish the season properly and keep playing in front of the Central supporters before starting the next chapter of his career in Brazil.
That emotional connection showed during his final appearance in Rosario. Fans already knew the striker would leave, but the goal and the tears after coming off gave the night a very different feel.
Mixed numbers but still an important figure
Alejo Véliz did not put up huge numbers during his return spell in Argentina. He finished the season with six goals in 23 appearances for Rosario Central.
Even so, he remained an important player for the squad throughout the campaign. Rosario reached the semi-finals of the Argentine championship, and Véliz played a major role alongside Argentine legend Angel Di María despite all the constant noise around his future.
That also helps explain why Rosario fought so hard to keep him until June instead of agreeing to an earlier exit.
What happens next
For Tottenham, the situation has already been sorted financially. Spurs agreed the permanent sale months ago and avoided dragging the uncertainty deeper into the summer.
Bahia, meanwhile, finally get the striker they spent a long time chasing. Operating as Manchester City’s satellite club in Brazil within the City Football Group structure, they see Véliz as part of a longer-term project rather than a quick gamble.
Now, after months dominated by clauses, negotiations and delays, the focus finally shifts back to football. Alejo Véliz got his goodbye in Rosario – and Bahia’s wait is almost over.