After a successful run at New York City Football Club in 2021 where Valentin "Taty" Castellanos led Major League Soccer with 22 goals and brought home New York's first ever MLS Cup everyone knew it was only a matter of time that Europe would be calling. Still he began 2022 in the Big Apple before City Group decided to further increase his value by loaning him out to their La Liga team in Girona. Taty went on to score 9 goals in his first European campaign, helping take Girona from obscurity to a top 5 team. In the process of become a legit front man, Taty even tallied 4 goals against top flight Real Madrid. Making him a wanted man in Europe. West Ham enquired about him before signing Gianluca Scamacca, but it seems now Taty is on the verge of becoming a Hammer.
He followed 2022 up with another 22 goal season between both teams and then Lazio of Italian Serie A came calling. They wanted a young striker to eventually succeed legendary forward Ciro Immobile. Heavy shoes to fill no doubt, but after spending months as a sub he got his shot. In his first full season as a start last year, Taty scored 14 goals under the immense pressure of replacing Immobile. This season while battling some injuries he has put away 2 goals in 10 appearances. Lazio are looking to cash in now while he is in his prime. The team is suffering from some financial woes and a sale of their best forward can make things right.
According to transfer expert and journalist Fabrizio Romano the deal between West Ham and Lazio is done, agreeing to 29 million euros and signing the Argentinian to a long term deal. Multiple sources have confirmed this was acrtually in the works for several months. The deal would also include a 10% sell-on fee going to New York.
WEST HAM GOING FOR TWO
Multiple sources including Romano are reporting that now that owner David Sullivan and manager Nuno Espirito Santos have tied up Castellanos they are now focused on locking in a second striker. Sources have confirmed an agreement as been reached between West Ham and Gil Vicente of Primera Liga for Portugese forward Pablo Felipe Pereira de Jesus.
Both moves are surprising because not much has been heard about either coming to to West Ham. No one has reported any interest for Pablo. He is known for his pace, pressing, and finishing, drawing comparisons to a young Diego Costa. His hot streak in 2025/26 made him one of the Primera Liga's top scorers early in the season and has attracted Premier League interest. In all he's scored 10 goals this season in just 14 appearances.
Sources say that the 2 teams have agreed on a transfer fee of 21 million euros making that a 50 millon euro spend on just day one of the January transfer season. West Ham are said to be bringing in Spanish winger Adama Traoré from the Wolves and are looking to bolster their defense and have been targeting Charlie Cresswell, who plays center back for French side Toulhouse of Ligue One.
Fans wanted a quick response on January 1st and by signing a red hot 21 year-old striker in Pablo and a 27 year-old striker known for his consistency in Taty, West Ham have certainly made bolstering up their roster a priority.