Levy ‘set for huge loss’ after Tottenham transfer ‘disaster’

Daniel Levy Faces Backlash Over Another Costly Tottenham Transfer Blunder as Alejo Véliz Exit Nears

 

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is once again under the spotlight, as yet another transfer misfire threatens to stain his already controversial record at the helm of the club’s transfer dealings. After years of mixed results in the market, it seems Spurs are about to add another name to the growing list of underwhelming signings that have failed to deliver under Levy’s leadership — this time in the form of Argentine forward Alejo Véliz.

 

While Levy has played a central role in modernizing Tottenham off the pitch and delivering financial stability, his transfer decisions have often been a lightning rod for criticism. Despite his business acumen, the 63-year-old has routinely come under fire for sanctioning high-cost acquisitions that never live up to their price tags — with Tanguy Ndombele, signed for a club-record fee, being the most glaring example of an expensive flop. The shadow of that failed investment still looms large, and now, Véliz appears to be heading down a similar path.

 

Another Costly Gamble Gone Wrong

 

Signed in August 2023 for a fee of £13 million, Alejo Véliz was heralded as a future star — a highly rated teenage talent plucked from Argentina with big expectations. Tottenham envisioned him as a long-term attacking asset who could eventually compete for a starting role and perhaps emulate the success of previous South American imports in the Premier League.

 

But the reality has turned out to be far less inspiring.

 

Véliz made just eight appearances for Tottenham before being shipped out on loan to Sevilla just six months into his stay. Hopes that regular minutes in La Liga would spark his development quickly faded. After a forgettable spell in Spain, he was loaned out again — this time to Espanyol. Yet once more, the striker failed to make any notable impression, and his confidence seemed to suffer from the instability.

 

Now, two years on from his arrival, Tottenham appear ready to cut their losses.

 

Return to Argentina on the Horizon

 

According to journalist Juan Pablo De Luca via X (formerly Twitter) on June 27, Argentine outfit Racing Club have made a formal offer to sign Véliz. The proposal reportedly includes a fixed fee of just £2.9 million, supplemented by £2.1 million in potential add-ons. A 30% sell-on clause has also been included in the deal, which gives Spurs a glimmer of hope to recover some of their investment — but a significant financial loss is all but guaranteed.

 

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, John Wenham — owner of Lilywhite Rose and a vocal figure in the Spurs online community — did not shy away from labeling the signing a total failure.

 

“Véliz’s signing has been an absolute disaster,” Wenham stated. “He didn’t make any impact at all in Spain, and it has just been such a disappointing signing for everyone involved. All that effort to disrupt a player progressing well in Argentina and move him across the world, it just hasn’t worked out for anybody.”

 

Wenham conceded that while the initial fee from Racing Club is low, including a sell-on clause could prove wise if Véliz eventually realizes his potential back in South America.

 

“By selling him with a sell-on clause, at least there is a chance in the future they could recoup their money. However, it is going to be a low initial fee, which means Tottenham are set to make a huge loss on Véliz. They could recover some money in the future. However, this is a good decision to get the player off the books now.”

 

Lessons Must Be Learned

 

For Tottenham, Véliz’s situation is yet another reminder of how delicate and uncertain the transfer market can be — especially when it comes to signing raw talent from overseas. It’s a costly example of what happens when a player is plucked out of their home country too soon and without a clear development pathway.

 

Levy must accept the criticism coming his way. Spurs supporters are passionate and knowledgeable, and they’ve grown weary of watching the club squander millions on signings who offer little return. Tottenham’s scouting and recruitment structure has been questioned in recent years, and while there have been hits — such as the arrivals of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven — the misses have been far too frequent to ignore.

 

The failure of Véliz should now serve as a cautionary tale and a clear signal that Tottenham need a more robust and long-term strategy for identifying, developing, and integrating young talent.

 

A New Chapter Underway — But Caution Is Key

 

Tottenham’s recent success in winning the UEFA Europa League has breathed fresh life into the club, offering a platform upon which to build something special. The arrival of Thomas Frank as head coach signals the start of a new era, and there’s hope that the Dane’s emphasis on tactical intelligence and youth development could bring a sense of balance and progression to the squad.

 

But for that hope to be realized, Levy and the club’s board must be willing to reflect on past failures and make smarter decisions going forward.

 

Whether it’s targeting more Premier League-proven players or ensuring a better support system for incoming foreign stars, Spurs cannot afford many more Alejo Véliz scenarios. The club’s future success, particularly with Champions League ambitions in sight, hinges on being far more astute in the transfer market.

 

For now, all eyes are on how Tottenham reinvest the funds from outgoing players like Véliz and how they shape the squad to ensure this promising new chapter doesn’t suffer from the same old mistakes.

 

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