Spurs failed to sign River Plate’s scoring sensation Lucas Alario despite interest dating back to last summer – allowing Leverkusen to get their man.
Bayer Leverkusen were made to wait before they could complete the signing of highly-rated Argentine striker Lucas Alario. Goal reported on transfer deadline day that Leverkusen had triggered the forward’s £15.7 million release clause but it took another three weeks to get the deal for the River Plate talisman over the line.
However, just three days after FIFA finally ratified the deal, Alario made the best possible start to life in the Bundesliga in the weekend’s 3-0 thrashing of Hamburg.
The 24-year-old hit the back of the net with his first shot in Germany’s top flight, converting an expert Leon Bailly cross with a well-taken tap in at the near post. Leverkusen wanted Alario, who averaged around a goal every other game for River Plate, to replace the West Ham-bound Javier Hernandez and it appears that they share the same predatory instincts.
And, with just seven minutes to go, Alario capped a fine debut by setting up his in-form strike partner Kevin Volland for his second of the afternoon.
One shot, one goal
Time will tell, however, whether Tottenham Hotspur should have done more to bring the three-time Argentine international to White Hart Lane. The Independent reported in January that Spurs were monitoring Alario closely having held an interest in the summer of 2016 but the only new striker to arrive in North London since then is veteran Spaniard Fernando Llorente.
A seemingly safe yet short-term back-up for Harry Kane, Llorente is eight years Alario’s senior and it remains to be seen whether he’d suit Mauricio Pochettino’s highly technical style.
Alario, if he continues at this rate, will certainly look like one that got away.
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