The Midnight Raid: How Manchester City Group Stunned Tottenham in Secret Alejo Véliz Deal
LONDON — In a transfer window already defined by high-stakes maneuvering and multi-million pound gambles, the football world has been rocked by what insiders are calling the “Midnight Raid.” In a move that has left fans, pundits, and even some club staff reeling, the City Football Group (CFG)—the global powerhouse behind Manchester City—has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to snatch Alejo Véliz away from Tottenham Hotspur.
The news, which broke in the early hours of January 14, 2026, represents more than just a simple transfer. It is a calculated, strategic strike by the wealthiest organization in world football to secure one of South America’s most polarizing yet high-potential prospects.
The Architecture of a Secret Deal
The details of the agreement, first unearthed by renowned Argentine journalist César Luis Merlo, suggest a complex logistical operation. While the “Manchester City group” is the architect of the deal, Véliz is not expected to walk onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium. Instead, he is destined for Esporte Clube Bahia in Brazil.
Since CFG acquired a majority stake in Bahia, the club has become the group’s primary South American hub. By moving Véliz to Bahia, CFG isn’t just buying a player; they are installing a potential superstar into their development pipeline with a “quite high” fee that reportedly exceeded Tottenham’s initial expectations.
The logistics are startlingly efficient:
- The Recall: Véliz is currently on loan at his boyhood club, Rosario Central. Tottenham is expected to trigger a mandatory recall clause immediately.
- The Agreement: Spurs have accepted a bid described as “unrefusable” in the context of a player who had struggled to break into their first team.
- The Transition: Véliz will fly from Argentina to Brazil, bypassing London entirely, to finalize terms with the Salvador-based club.
Why Now? The Thomas Frank Revolution
To understand why Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would sign off on the departure of a 22-year-old striker once touted as the “next Harry Kane,” one must look at the current state of N17. Under the leadership of manager Thomas Frank, Tottenham is in the midst of a ruthless squad “cleansing.”
Frank, who arrived from Brentford with a mandate to modernize Spurs’ tactical identity, has been vocal about his desire for a leaner, more “dynamic” squad. The January 2026 window has seen Spurs operate with unprecedented aggression:
- Conor Gallagher (£34.7m): A statement signing from Atletico Madrid to provide the “engine” Frank’s system demands.
- Souza (£13m): The teenage Brazilian defensive prodigy signed from Santos to secure the future of the backline.
- The Hunt for Akliouche: Rumors persist that Spurs are liquidating assets to fund a move for Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche.
In this ecosystem, Véliz—a traditional, physical “number nine”—was seen as a relic of a previous regime. Despite scoring five goals in 16 matches since returning to Rosario Central in July 2025, he did not fit the “Frank Blueprint.”
The “Complete Surprise”: A Career of Interrupted Potential
The reaction from the Tottenham faithful has been one of bewildered frustration. When Véliz was signed in 2023 for roughly £13 million, he was the crown jewel of the club’s scouting mission in Argentina. However, his tenure in North London was a series of “what ifs.”
A promising debut was derailed by a knee injury against Bournemouth in late 2023. This was followed by a disastrous loan spell at Sevilla, where he barely saw the pitch, and a mediocre stint at Espanyol. It was only upon his return to Rosario Central that the “real” Alejo Véliz reappeared.
His recent form in the Argentine Primera División—displaying a renewed aerial dominance and clinical finishing—clearly alerted the City Football Group’s global scouting network. They saw a market opportunity: a player whose stock was low in Europe but rising in South America.
The Wider Context: A Cold War Between City and Spurs?
This deal does not exist in a vacuum. Relationships between Manchester City and Tottenham have been increasingly “entangled” in recent months:
- The Executive Poaching: Only weeks ago, Tottenham successfully lured Carlos Raphael Moersen, a key City Football Group executive, to become their new Head of Football Operations. Some believe the Véliz deal was part of a larger “diplomatic negotiation” between the two giants.
- The Pedro Porro Factor: Rumors continue to swirl that Manchester City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, is preparing a massive summer bid for Spurs’ right-back Pedro Porro.
What Happens Next?
For Alejo Véliz, the move to Bahia represents a chance to become the face of a project. In the City Football Group ecosystem, a successful stint in Brazil often leads to a “graduation” to a European partner club—perhaps even a return to the Premier League in the colors of Manchester City themselves.
For Tottenham, the “Midnight Raid” provides the final injection of cash needed to complete Thomas Frank’s January overhaul. As the clock ticks down toward the transfer deadline, the question remains: Did Spurs just sell a future world-beater to their biggest rivals, or did they masterfully offload a player who didn’t fit their future?
One thing is certain: In the high-speed chess match of modern football, the City Football Group just called “Check.”