Alejo Sarco is set to provide Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick with further competition for a place up front for Bayer Leverkusen. - © Joaquín Camiletti

bundesliga

Alejo Sarco: Who is Bayer Leverkusen’s new Argentinian attacker?

02.01.2025

Already spoiled for choice in attack with the likes of Florian Wirtz, Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface, among others, Bayer Leverkusen Xabi Alonso now has another option in the shape of Alejo Sarco, freshly signed from Argentinian champions CA Vélez Sarsfeld.

Alejo Sarco

Age: 18
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Centre forward
Country: Argentina (20 U17 caps)

Key statsBorn in the Buenos Aires province of Alberti, Sarco moved 200 kilometres (125 miles) east to the country’s capital at the age of 13 in 2019 to join the Vélez youth academy. The 5’10” (1.79m) forward made swift progress through the ranks, eventually making his first-team debut on 30 March 2024 in a 1-0 defeat by Talleres.

That was the first of nine outings with the senior pros, including providing an assist in a 2-1 Copa Argentina victory against Arsenal.

Sarco celebrates with teammates after scoring against Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentinian League Cup final in May 2024. - EDUARDO RAPETTI

Sarco also grabbed headlines in the final of the Argentinian League Cup against Esudiantes de La Plata in May, coming off the bench in the 62nd minute and scoring the equaliser at 1-1 less than 60 seconds later. The youngster also showed great courage to take and score a spot-kick in the resultant penalty shootout, which Vélez ended up losing 4-3.

His contract expired at Vélez on 31 December 2024, opening the door for him to pen a deal with Leverkusen until 30 June 2029.

Plays a bit like: Raúl

A left-footed Argentinian attacker with God-given dribbling ability and an eye for goal... comparisons with compatriot Lionel Messi are perhaps inevitable, but maybe not entirely accurate. Sarco likes to play more centrally, rather than out wide, while he also possesses a certain bite in the tackle, is good in the air and is excellent at receiving the ball with his back to goal and spinning past his marker in a manner reminiscent of former Real Madrid and Schalke forward Raúl.

Did you know?

While still only 18, Sarco has already been a professional footballer for two years, having signed professional terms with Vélez for the first time at the age of 16 in March 2022 on a contract that expired on 31 December 2024.

He now becomes the second Argentinian at Leverkusen, joining countryman and 2022 World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios at the club.

What they’re saying

“He is a technically skilful player, quick, agile and assertive in tackles. With his finishing ability, he completes the profile of a modern centre-forward. Alejo has a promising career ahead of him.” – Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen board member for sport

“Taking the step to a top club in Europe is something I’ve always dreamed of Bayer 04 have been interested in me for some time, so I've been following the club's fantastic season all the more closely. It's exciting for me to be a part of this team in the future and a great challenge to strengthen it with my abilities.” - Sarco