Tigres eye Boca’s Alan Velasco as swift replacement for Ángel Correa

In a bustling training ground at Monterrey, Tigres officials watched the clock tick as Ángel Correa signed for River Plate, prompting an immediate search for a new Argentine attacker. The Mexican side has identified Boca Juniors forward Alan Velasco as the most viable option to fill the void left by Correa.

Ángel Correa left Tigres to join River, ending his stint in Liga MX just days before the club announced its replacement plan. His departure was confirmed after he said farewell to the Mexican league and prepared to wear the "Millonario" shirt of River Plate.

Tigres did not waste time and pointed to the opposite side of the border, naming Velasco as a priority target. The club’s scouting department highlighted the 23‑year‑old’s ability to reinforce the attacking sector that became vacant.

NÚMEROS DE VELASCO EN BOCA

Velasco arrived at La Boca at the start of 2025 and has featured in 43 matches, scoring three goals and providing four assists. His playing time includes starts in the Copa Argentina against Sarmiento and in the Torneo Clausura versus Deportivo Riestra.

The transfer from Boca to River was completed for US$10 million, a fee that reflects his potential despite limited goal output. Although no formal negotiation has begun, Boca officials have indicated they are ready to listen to offers that meet their expectations.

In his early Boca appearances, Velasco missed a decisive penalty against Alianza Lima, a miss that kept the club out of the Copa Libertadores preliminary round and strained his relationship with supporters. The fallout from that moment has lingered throughout his tenure.

Subsequent coaches Fernando Gago, Miguel Ángel Russo and Claudio Úbeda saw Velasco lose ground in the squad hierarchy, limiting his impact on the pitch. Their tactical preferences reduced his minutes and visibility.

When Vasco Arruabarrena took charge, he aimed to revive Velasco’s form, selecting him as a starter in the Copa Argentina tie and granting him minutes in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana playoffs against O'Higgins. These appearances suggested a possible resurgence before the transfer window opened.

Overall, Tigres’ rapid move to target Velasco underscores the club’s urgency to replace Correa and maintain offensive strength ahead of the new season.