Transfer News

Ruben Amorim is about to anger West Ham for a second time with bid for star

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Ruben Amorim is about to anger West Ham for a second time with bid for a star Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate to keep in order to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Who knows what might have happened to West Ham had Ruben Amorim agreed to become the club’s manager following a much-publicised meeting with David Sullivan.

David Moyes ended up banning Tim Steidten from being around the Hammers first team for the final month of his tenure as the German lined up a number of candidates to replace the Scot.

Amorim to anger West Ham again with bid for key star

Amorim was pictured meeting with Sullivan to take the Hammers helm from Moyes but flew back to Portugal after getting cold feet.

At the time Sporting were going for the title and their fans were not happy with Amorim for meeting with West Ham in the midst of their hunt for the league crown.

The next day he called a press conference to apologise and confirm he would not be joining West Ham.

That left the Hammers back at square one and in the end Julen Lopetegui got the gig.

Ruben Amorim, Manchester United head coach
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Ironically, Lopetegui oversaw a Hammers win over Man United just two months into the season which cost Erik ten Hag his job and saw Amorim arrive at Old Trafford.

Now Amorim is about to anger West Ham for a second time with a bid for key star Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos.

The Argentine striker is one of a clutch of leading Hammers players the club’s hierarchy want to keep to fire them back to the big time.

New majority owner Daniel Kretinsky held encouraging meetings with Taty and others about staying at West Ham.

Amorim orders move for West Ham star Taty Castellanos

That was a relief for fans it was claimed Taty had no intention of playing in the second tier.

The likes of Everton, Fulham, Flamengo and River Plate have been linked with interest in the 27-year-old forward, who joined West Ham for £27m from Lazio in January.

DISCUSS: Is Taty Castellanos good enough to be West Ham’s starting striker? ⚽

Alan Pardew does not understand the criticism 🤷‍♂️

Taty Castellanos of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at London Stadium
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Although not as prolific as he should have been, Taty’s workrate and attitude have endeared him to Hammers fans. Not to mention his penchant for the audacious.

Supporters believe he would be a shoo-in for Championship top scorer if he stays in the second tier.

Nuno Espirito Santo, manager of West Ham United, celebrates a win with Taty Castellanos- West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

But AC Milan’s new boss Amorim is going to test Taty’s desire and West Ham’s resolve by making a move to bring him back to Italy.

According to Milan News 24, Amorim has personally requested for the Milan board to move for Castellanos as he looks to replace former Hammers target Santiago Gimenez.

Just yesterday Taty showed he is serious about getting West Ham back into the Premier League with a post on social media.

Milan are a huge and historic club, though, so there is the potential this could turn the striker’s head.

If that happens and Taty agitates for a move then West Ham must demand a healthy profit from Milan to make it worthwhile – and also help fund replacements.

Because the Hammers will not achieve promotion with Pablo as their starting striker.