The new Messi Atlanta United wanted to sign for $14 million and they couldn’t

Since he had his professional debut, he was labeled as ‘the New Messi’. Argentina will see the Barcelona star likely playing his last World Cup next year, and the country is desperate to have a successor. While they look for him, Atlanta United has a target.

As reported by Spanish newspaper Sport, Argentina’s Alan Velasco has a release clause of $23.5 million in his country’s Independiente, despite Transfermarkt states his price is $3.25 million. According to the publication, Atlanta United had offered $14 million to the ‘Red Devils’, but the offer was refused.

Velasco is a talented playmaker who tends to rely on the left wing and cut back to use his skilled right foot. In the Copa Diego Maradona, Argentina’s domestic tournament played after the strict lockdown in the country, he has been a key player for Independiente. His long-range shooting has proven effective too. He was featured by Argentina’s Under 17 national team in the last World Cup, coached by former Valencia and Benfica star Pablo Aimar.

It’s not clear if Atlanta United will try to raise the offer, meanwhile Independiente was blocked from signing new players because of an old debt pending with former Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Amorebieta, who played in the club from 2017 to 2019. Meanwhile, Italy’s Parma was interested in Velasco too, but they announced they can’t afford the release clause.