West Ham United have already got a less-than stellar reputation when it comes to the art of recruitment.
And wouldn’t it be so typically Hammers for the London Stadium outfit to spend £30 million on a striker they could have signed for half the price a few windows prior, only to then see him join the ever-growing pantheon of centre-forwards who struggled to live up to expectations in claret and blue?
As Michail Antonio’s contract runs down, as Evan Ferguson prepares to return to Brighton, and as Niclas Fullkrug closes the door on his first season at West Ham United with no guarantee of a second, Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos is just one of a handful of number nines to emerge in the gossip columns in recent times.
West Ham are interested in Emanuel Emegha of Strasbourg, Liam Delap at Ipswich Town and Vladyslav Vanat of Dynamo Kyiv, to name but three. Castellanos was mentioned last week by Rome-based publication La Lazio Siamo Noi, meanwhile.
And, if his name feels oddly familiar, there is a very good reason for that.
West Ham United fans react as Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos is linked again
Three years ago this month, it was reported that West Ham were in pole position to sign Taty Castellanos from Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles FC.
The twice-capped Argentina international would eventually join Girona instead, moving from one City Football Group outfit to another.
He made the step up to La Liga life look pretty straightforward. Castellanos even scored four goals in 52 minutes against Real Madrid, becoming the first player to achieve the feat in the 21st Century.
While not exactly one of the most prolific centre-forwards in European football, the all-action 26-year-old has continued to develop his talents nicely over in Italy with Lazio. Castellanos has 14 across the 2025/26 campaign, with one thumping, acrobatic volley destined to end up among the Goal of the Season contenders.
A Lazio side reportedly now demanding around £30 million. More than twice the fee West Ham were quoted when Castellanos was the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner.
“We should have signed him away from New York City FC after his loan spell from Girona,” one frustrated West Ham fan argues.
“Oh the guy we could’ve signed for £20 million less a season or two ago?,” another adds, Castellanos feeling increasingly like a missed opportunity as Fullkrug struggles. “Love our recruitment.
“Weren’t we looking at him before he went to Lazio for about half that [£30 million asking price]? We are literally useless.”
Lack of European football could cost West Ham in Nottingham Forest battle
The West Ham fanbase is pessimistic enough about their chances of signing Jonathan David on a free transfer, despite suggestions that the Lille talisman’s camp are impressed by Graham Potter’s plans for the summer and beyond.
Castellanos, also linked with Europe-bound Villarreal, Real Betis and Nottingham Forest, is be another the Hammers may struggle to attract without the lure of continental competition.
“Let me guess, the other three [interested parties] are similar-sized clubs that can offer more money, a similar role and European football to boot,” one fan predicts, pretty accurately.
“This is going to be a long, hot summer for us I bet. Potter better know what he’s doing.”
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