West Ham United’s relegation to the Championship has accelerated speculation around Taty Castellanos’ future, and fresh reports from South America suggest the striker’s representatives are already working on finding him a new club.
Reports have consistently suggested he has no interest in playing Championship football as the Hammers went down. Now there is another step forward.
Agents already working on exit
According to journalist Pablo Oliveira, Castellanos’ representatives are already looking for a new club following West Ham’s relegation. The striker is determined to leave the London club this summer.
But West Ham don’t want to lose money of course. The Hammers only signed Castellanos from Lazio six months ago for around €30m (£25.8m). Moreover, Oliveira states the club have no intention of taking a major financial hit.
Having already banked substantial money through player sales this summer, West Ham are likely to see Castellanos as another player who can generate a healthy transfer fee, rather than someone they are prepared to offload at a discount.
According to the report, the Hammers are currently asking for between €25m and €30m (£21.5m-£25.8m). So far, no formal offers have arrived.
New suitors emerge
It is not just Flamengo keeping tabs on the situation anymore. According to Spain’s Estadio Deportivo, Castellanos’ representatives have also offered the striker to Real Betis. Sporting director Manu Fajardo is assessing him as one of several centre-forward options for Manuel Pellegrini.
The report makes it clear there are no negotiations yet, but Betis are considering the opportunity as they look to strengthen their attack.
The Spanish outlet adds that Castellanos is pushing to leave on loan with an option to buy – a formula which would suit Betis far more than West Ham’s current valuation. The Hammers, meanwhile, continue to prioritise recovering as much of the €29m (£25m) they paid Lazio as possible.
Loan becoming realistic
Because of that gap, Oliveira believes a compromise could eventually emerge. The report suggests Castellanos’ desire to leave could ultimately push West Ham towards accepting a loan with an option to buy. This would be instead of insisting on an immediate permanent transfer.
That would allow the West London side to protect the player’s value. Also, it would give him the chance to avoid Championship football. It is a scenario that could suit several clubs already linked with the Argentine.
Fulham have recently emerged as a possible Premier League destination for a striker who reportedly wants to remain in England’s top flight. Meanwhile, Flamengo, Atalanta , AC Milan and now Betis continue to admire Castellanos throughout the last few months.
For now, there is still no concrete offer on the table. But with the player’s representatives now said to be searching for a solution, this feels like a transfer story that is beginning to move much faster.
