Vélez issued a harsh statement regarding the failed sale of Valentín Gómez and urged the player to return to training

The novel of the frustrated transfers of the summer due to the unfulfilled promises of the businessman belonging to the Foster Gillet group has a new chapter and in this case the protagonists are the last champion of Argentine football, Vélez , and one of its figures, Valentín Gómez .

It is known that the central defender has been coveted by many clubs since last year; that in 2024 Palermo was going to buy him, who would loan him to River, but that due to a knee problem, he did not pass the medical examination and the transfer fell through. Valentín continued playing for Vélez and was one of the figures of the Professional Football League title.

In the first half of January, he was close to going to Cruzeiro in Brazil and after the team from Belo Horizonte finally gave up on the signing, the American businessman appeared promising the moon and the stars. Everyone was excited after the departure of Cristian Medina from Boca, who paid the termination clause with money transferred to him by Foster.

With Valentín Gómez, on the other hand, there was an agreement in principle between the player, his agent and the club, but everything is back to square one. And in light of this situation, the club published a statement on Monday afternoon.

At the beginning, it explains what happened last year: " In March 2024, after extensive negotiations with the player and his representatives, the renewal of the employment contract until 31/12/2026 was agreed. This signature included a significant improvement in salary conditions, as well as a verbal commitment from the Board of Directors, at the request of the player, for him to be transferred in the mid-2024 window. In July 2024, and at the request of the player, the terms and conditions of his transfer to Palermo of Italy were agreed, for a total amount of EUR 10,000,000 gross, payable in installments until 2026. After carrying out the medical examination in Italy, Palermo gave up the operation ."

He goes on to describe the negotiations with Cruzeiro. "In January 2025, at the player's request, negotiations were initiated with Club Cruzeiro of Brazil to carry out the transfer. The initial offers made by the Brazilian club were around USD 10,000,000 gross, although they were not satisfactory for Vélez as they established payments over a period of 2 years but not guaranteed, a condition that was essential for our institution considering Cruzeiro's financial situation. Finally, Cruzeiro proposed to assume the financial cost of the operation and make a single payment of USD 8,500,000 gross, a proposal that was accepted by Vélez, although later withdrawn by Cruzeiro, who gave up on the operation ."

He then recounts Valentín Gomez's decision: " After the transfer to Cruzeiro failed, the player informed the Board of Directors of his desire not to continue at the Club and to seek a new transfer alternative in the current window. After analyzing different options, the player stated that he had found someone who would pay for the execution of his termination clause under the employment contract, for an amount of USD 8,500,000 net plus the Club retaining 10% of a future transfer and the player giving up the 5% of the pass that had been recognized to him in 2022. "

Later on, it highlights the decision taken by the club: " After analyzing the legal framework for structuring the operation, having obtained for this purpose the external advice of experts in sports law, and understanding that the proposal meant a termination of the employment contract on terms comparable to its termination clause established in the employment contract (EUR 10,000,000 net), on January 24 the Club and the player entered into a series of agreements, by which Vélez gave its consent for the player to terminate his employment contract on the terms described above. This implied that, once the promised payment had been received, Valentín Gómez would be free to act and could therefore enter into a new employment contract with whoever he decided ."

Finally, and here is the hardest part, the Fortineros leaders make it clear that their patience has run out. " We emphasize that Vélez never signed or agreed to any document with another club, with an investment group, private fund or similar of any kind . The only documents signed were between Vélez and the player, and the only one obliged to pay was the player. Furthermore, it was established as a condition of validity of the agreements that the payments to the Club's accounts be made from an account owned by the player ."

And it continues: " The deadline for payment was set for 28/01/25, otherwise the agreements would lose validity. Since it was not made on that date, the limit was extended, at the express wish of the player and his entourage, under the promise that the funds would be obtained as soon as possible and that payments would be made. During this period the Club made contacts and arrangements with the Gillett Group, at the request of the player, to ensure that the operation could be completed and the commitments assumed could be fulfilled ."

The last paragraphs make it clear that the player has a valid contract, that he tolerated the trip to Italy and that on March 3 he has to return to training. " After successive extensions without having received payment, and considering the player's intention to be registered in Italy as a free agent, for which he had time until 23/02/25 at 23:59 hours in Italy, on 24/02/25 the Club declared the operation null and void. The player was informed that he should return to the country to be under the orders of the first team's technical staff in accordance with his current employment contract."

" Vélez never authorized the player's trip to Italy, his medical examination at another institution or his training at any club. All these circumstances were tolerated in order to be able to complete the transfer that benefited the Club, and that had been specifically requested by the player ."

" Vélez is expecting the player's return on Monday, March 3, to join the first team, as well as his full commitment to the Institution, where he is a reference, having emerged from our youth teams and co-captain of the champion team ."

Vélez had an unexpected start to the year and tournament. With the absence of three of its stars (Claudio Aquino, Thiago Fernández and Valentín Gómez), without the continuity of the champion coach (Gustavo Quinteros), with few signings, with Sebastián Domínguez on the bench, it has gone seven games without winning or scoring, the worst start for a reigning champion. The defense needs the 21-year-old player but we will have to see with what spirit he returns from his frustrated stay in Italy and how the relations between his agent and the management are.