Alejo Veliz loan watch: New links to Bournemouth surface

When Alejo Veliz arrived at Tottenham last summer, he wasn't viewed as a first-choice striker. He was always understood to be a high-value prospect who could become one of the greats.

With Son Hueng-min and Richarlison passing him on the depth chart, the club made the sensible decision to send the young Argentine out on loan. Veliz joined Sevilla in January in hopes of starting more games and helping the La Liga side get back to Champions League qualification.

The loan has been a disaster, though. Sevilla's manager Quique Sanchez Flores was quoted in a Sevilla-friendly outlet, ABC Sevilla, saying he "doesn't give a damn" about Veliz's lack of playtime.

Since arriving in Andalusia, Veliz has only made three appearances for Sevilla, scoring no goals and registering no assists (Transfermarkt). This is incredibly odd considering Veliz was given the 10 kit and was told he would be a key figure in the squad.

This loan move will do more than sour the relationship between Sevilla and Spurs. Veliz's growth was paramount, and now it looks stunted with this non-existent playtime.

When he returns to North London after the Spanish season concludes, Veliz will likely sit behind Son, Richarlison, Dane Scarlett, and potentially Troy Parrot, who is returning from a very successful loan to Excelsior in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Barring any sales of the aforementioned options, there is a logjam in the center-forward position at Spurs.

Rumors have now begun circulating about where Veliz will play football next season. Argentine journalist Uriel Iugt reported that Bournemouth is paying attention to Veliz's situation. It's expected that the striker will be loaned out again next season.

Bournemouth is a curious choice to be eyeing Veliz. Dominic Solanke has been leading the line for the Cherries, scoring 16 times in the Premier League this season. His remarkable campaign even caught the attention of Solanke's former club, Liverpool, as well as Arsenal, who may look to upgrade the position seeing that Gabriel Jesus' form has sputtered.

Veliz would not start over Bournemouth's English forward, but the club are relatively thin at striker otherwise. Enes Unal is the only other true striker, and Antoine Semenyo, Luis Sinisterra, and Justin Kluivert all are wide forwards.

Veliz would also come with a lot of promise, especially after potting his first Premier League goal against Brighton earlier this season.

However, Veliz's next loan must be one with more playtime. He is still incredibly young, meaning he needs time to adjust to the pace of English football and the physicality.

Tottenham brought him in to be more than an imposing presence late in matches, which was his role before his Sevilla loan. The club will want to see him take greater strides in his scoring and hold-up play. Any experience in the English game would give him a good grasp of how to play under Ange.

Veliz could very well become a generational talent. When he was the starting No.9 for Rosario Central in the Argentine top flight, he posted 19 goals and two assists in 63 appearances.

There is a player in there, and now it will be time for another coach to get it out of him. Adoni Iraola has been able to resurrect Solanke and Kluivert's flummoxing careers, two seasoned professionals who lost their form for a bit.

Veliz has time on his side and could benefit from the Spanish coach's approach. If Solanke is moved on, an opportunity could be there for the young Argentine.