When an exciting young attacker explodes onto the scene over in Argentina, it is often not too long before comparisons are drawn with, well, ‘you know who’.
But, according to Independiente coach Lucas Pusineri, Alan Velasco has more in common with a Bayern Munich legend than he does with compatriot Lionel Messi.
“I see him as (a new Arjen) Robben; a player who can unbalance (the opponent) and has an eye for goal . He is a very important player, indecipherable for our rivals,” Pusineri told TYC.
Watching Velasco in full flow is certainly a sight to behold.
The teenager is not only remarkably quick (he would make Dan James look like Per Mertesacker), he also skips past defenders with ease, going from a standing start to breakneck speed in the blink of an eye.
El Intransigente report that Newcastle United are interested and would have few qualms about triggering the £21 million release clause in Velasco’s contract.
That is a lot of money for an unproven teenager – even one as talented as Velasco.
But if Argentina’s latest wing wonder has just half Robben’s ability, he could be a signing capable of making a transformative impact on a ponderous, pedestrian Newcastle side.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
