£35m transfer misfires raise important question about Tottenham's grand plans

With Thomas Frank’s pre-season underway, Alasdair looks at the exit of Alejo Veliz and what it says about Fabio Paratici, Spurs' transfer plans and where the power truly lies…

Welcome to the latest premium edition of Spurs with Alasdair Gold. With Thomas Frank’s pre-season underway, Alasdair looks at the exit of Alejo Veliz and what it says about Fabio Paratici, Tottenham’s transfer plans and where the power truly lies…

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As Alejo Veliz makes his way back to Rosario Central on loan this week from Tottenham, he will go the way of another of Fabio Paratici's suggested signings for the club.

Bryan Gil was signed from Sevilla in 2021 for £21.6million plus Erik Lamela heading in the opposition direction. Within 18 months Sevilla got Gil back on loan - so in essence they got their player, Lamela and £21.6m from Tottenham for very little exchange. Tottenham will try to sell the Spaniard this summer as his contract reaches its final 12 months.

Veliz heads back to Rosario two years after Spurs signed him on Paratici's advice. It is a loan without any option or obligation to buy the 21-year-old striker, and Tottenham can recall him in January if they get an offer from someone for his services.

So Rosario got around £13m for Veliz and now have him back as part of the deal: good business if you can get it.

Alejo Veliz is leaving Spurs

The final image of the young Argentine striker in a Tottenham shirt may well be the one of him lying on the floor on Monday, waving a horizontal palm side to side after shuttle runs, suggesting he was done during the first day of Thomas Frank's pre-season training.

Veliz will likely never add to his eight appearances for the club, which was followed by unconvincing loans to Sevilla - yes them again - and Espanyol.

The Argentinean season is midway through and lasts until December. His loan contract is until the end of Tottenham's campaign, so if not recalled he will play across two different seasons in his homeland, with the Argentina legend Angel Di Maria now a team-mate.

For now, Veliz must go into the drawer containing Paratici flops. The smooth-talking Italian and former managing director of football has gained a cult following among Spurs fans for his busy nature in the transfer market…