UPDATE (Feb. 1) – FC Dallas have signed Argentine youth international winger Alan Velasco as a Young Designated Player from Independiente for a club-record fee, the club announced Tuesday.
Velasco, 19, joins after posting 10 goals and 10 assists in 71 all-competition appearances for Independiente.
"Alan Velasco is an incredibly special talent,” FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said in a release. “You don't often get a chance to bring a young player that's at the top of the league. He's incredibly dynamic, he beats people off the dribble. He's a great passer and the creative way he approaches the game is special and unique. It will be really exciting to see him in Major League Soccer with his ability and style of play.”
Velasco's addition is the latest in FCD's transformative offseason, having completed a club-record transfer of US men's national team forward Ricardi Pepi to German Bundesliga side FC Augsburg. That was their second outgoing homegrown move, with defender Justin Che joining German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on loan.
As for incoming transactions, FCD traded for USMNT winger Paul Arriola from D.C. United, establishing a new MLS record for General Allocation Money outlay ($2 million). Arriola and Velasco project as key pieces under new head coach Nico Estevez.
This offseason, FCD also re-signed homegrown USMNT forward Jesus Ferreira to a Young DP deal. Striker Franco Jara is their other DP.
“Alan is a fantastic player with a lot of talent,” Estévez told FCD's website. “He wants to improve and likes the idea of coming here to do that. He feels that this is the right place to become an even better player. He gives us creativity in 1-v-1 situations and an element of unpredictability. He’ll make the fans enjoy the game with one excellent play.
"But he’s also a hard worker, he wants to improve and wants to help the team. He’s very mature for his age and I think he’s the right fit for our style of play. I think the fans will love the way he plays and I believe he’ll make a big impact in this league.”
UPDATE (Jan. 24) – FC Dallas are finalizing a club-record deal to acquire Independiente attacker Alan Velasco, a source confirms to MLSsoccer.com. Dallas hope to complete the deal soon.
Various reports in South America, including TyC Sports, Mati Martinez and CL Merlo, report the agreed-upon fee is around $7 million.
Velasco, 19, has eight goals and 10 assists in 69 professional appearances with Independiente. He can play on either wing or centrally, which would give new head coach Nico Estevez flexibility. The attacker is an Argentine youth international, representing his country at the U-17 World Cup, and would have likely participated in the U-20 World Cup if last year's event didn't get canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deal would shatter Dallas' previous incoming transfer record to sign Honduran international Bryan Acosta in 2019, believed to be around $3 million. Dallas have been active in transferring players abroad, including Ricardo Pepi earlier this month for around $20 million, Bryan Reynolds last year for $8.5 million and many more.
Earlier this offseason, Dallas signed homegrown and US men's national team forward Jesus Ferreira to a contract extension, making him a Young Designated Player. Franco Jara occupies another DP spot, while Velasco would likely be the third.
As previously reported by MLSsoccer.com, Dallas reached an agreement in principle on a league-record trade for USMNT winger Paul Arriola from D.C. United. But that deal, which would be for $2 million in General Allocation Money up-front, hasn't been finalized yet.
ORIGINAL (Jan. 15) – FC Dallas are reportedly chasing the signature of Independiente winger Alan Velasco and have made a $7 million bid for the 19-year-old rising talent.
Argentine journalist Matias Martinez reports the sides are close to agreeing on terms to send Velasco to FC Dallas, with the completion of the deal coming as soon as this week.
Velasco has made 69 appearances in all competitions for Independiente and has eight goals and 10 assists. Internationally, Velasco played five times for the Argentine U-17 squad, including at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Should Dallas land Velasco, it would be their second big incoming move after signing defender Nanu on loan from FC Porto earlier this week.
The to German Bundesliga side FC Augsburg is the highlight of their offseason so far, injecting cash to mold the squad under new head coach Nico Estevez.
Jader Obrian and Hungarian international Szabolcs Schon are currently the main wingers on their depth chart.
FC Dallas also moved on from the likes of Bryan Acosta, Freddy Vargas, Phelipe and Andres Ricaurte in December.
