Tottenham transfer talks emerge around player Lionel Messi tipped to be 'next Luis Suarez'

Tottenham Hotspur are exploring a permanent exit for a striker who was likened to Luis Suarez by Lionel Messi

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a permanent departure for their striker Alejo Veliz, who Lionel Messi once likened to Luis Suarez. According to The Athletic, negotiations are ongoing but a transfer fee for Veliz has yet to be finalised.

The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Rosario Club, the Argentine team where he began his career before joining Spurs in 2023, with his loan deal set to run until June 2026.

Any agreement would necessitate an early end to this loan period. Veliz has scored five goals in 16 appearances since re-joining Rosario in July.

His eight outings for parent club Tottenham all took place during the 2023-24 season before injury ended his campaign prematurely.

Barcelona legend Messi previously expressed high expectations for the young forward, drawing comparisons between Veliz's style of play and that of ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Suarez.

Messi named Veliz as one of Argentina's most promising talents back in September 2023, stating: "[Roman] Vega, [Maximo] Perrone, and especially Veliz.

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"Watching him play reminds me of what Suarez used to play like. I am very excited for the future of this country, and hope I can be an influence to these people, and talk to him."

Messi has also spoken highly of Cristian Romero with the Spurs defender on target against West Ham United on Saturday, though his side were still defeated courtesy of a last-minute Callum Wilson strike.

As for Veliz, he now shares the pitch with fellow South American sensation Angel Di Maria at Rosario Central, following Di Maria's decision in May to return to his childhood club after Benfica's run in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup concluded.

Di Maria had been in touch with Veliz, encouraging him to make the move back to Central.

"Ever since it went viral that I was returning to Central, Angel and I exchanged messages," Veliz disclosed during his unveiling (via ESPN).

"And when he said, 'Come on, you're missing now,' it's truly a driving force that pushes you forward, and I was crazy and wanted to come right away. What we wanted happened, and I'm very happy to be here."

He further expressed: "Having this, my family nearby, my grandparents, is what fulfils me, what completes me.

"I don't feel like I am here anywhere else. I came back to be able to fulfil myself."