<p>Clubs from Europe’s top leagues are working aggressively to complete transfers ahead of the second half of the 2025–26 season. In that context, a teammate of <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a></strong> with <strong>Argentina</strong> is reportedly preparing to depart <strong>Serie A</strong> in order to continue his career in the <strong>Premier League</strong>.</p>



<p><strong><em>“Taty Castellanos to West Ham… deal agreed for €29 million from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lazio/">Lazio</a>,” </em></strong>reporter Fabrizio Romano wrote on his official <em>X</em> account. <em>“Agreement in place also over a long-term deal for the Argentine striker.”</em></p>



<p>The move would be one of the most expensive transfers in Europe at the start of the January transfer window, valued at roughly $34 million. With the deal, the Hammers secure much-needed attacking firepower as they attempt to reverse a difficult stretch of form. After Saturday’s 3–0 loss to <strong>Wolverhampton</strong>, the club sits in the <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/premier-league/">Premier League</a></strong> relegation zone with just 14 points from 20 matches.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/west-ham/">West Ham</a></strong> have conceded more goals than any other team in the league through the first 20 games of the season, allowing 41. Their problems do not end there, as they have also struggled offensively, ranking among the six lowest-scoring teams in the competition with just 21 goals.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20260103_WST_613728_castellanos_f219a2c4.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-613732"></figure><figcaption>Argentina striker Valentin Castellanos.</figcaption></figure>



<p>To address those issues, the London club has committed to a significant overhaul of its attack. <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/milan-not-done-after-fullkrug-move-pulisics-team-reportedly-eyes-serie-a-striker-also-on-barcelonas-radar/">The Hammers allowed Niclas Fullkrug to leave for AC Milan</a></strong> while securing the signings of two forwards. <em><strong>“West Ham sign both Castellanos and Pablo (from Gil Vicente) up front,”</strong></em> Romano added.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/argentina-rising-star-reportedly-agrees-january-move-from-inter-to-secure-world-cup-spot-alongside-messi/"></div>


<h2>Castellanos needs a breakout to reach the World Cup</h2>



<p>As is the case for many players moving during the January transfer window, Castellanos’ career decision is closely tied to the <strong>2026 FIFA World Cup</strong>, which will be played after the conclusion of the season.</p>



<p>With Lazio, Valentin scored just two goals in 11 appearances across <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/serie-a/">Serie A</a></strong> and the <strong>Coppa Italia.</strong> Those numbers are not enough to secure a place with Messi’s Argentina, making a move to the Premier League a potential turning point the 27-year-old forward may need.</p>



<h2>The fierce competition Castellanos faces with Argentina</h2>



<p>Valentin Castellanos has been part of <strong>Lionel Scaloni</strong>’s plans in recent years, but his opportunities have been limited due to the competition he faces at center forward, battling two of the world’s top players in <strong>Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez </strong>and <strong>Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.</strong></p>



<p>Still, with a 26-man roster for the World Cup, Scaloni may opt to include a third striker. That is where Castellanos could find his opening, though he will need to outperform his rivals to earn that spot.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a></strong>’s coach has tested several forwards in recent months. Castellanos made just two appearances in <strong>World Cup qualifiers</strong>, both as a late substitute and without scoring. Similar situations applied to <strong>Valencia’s Lucas Beltran, Palmeiras’ Jose Lopez, </strong>and <strong>RC Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli.</strong> At most, there may be room for only one of them.</p>

Messi’s Argentina teammate reportedly agrees to $34 million move from Serie A to Premier League

Messi’s Argentina teammate reportedly agrees to $34 million move from Serie A to Premier League - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Benfica are close to signing Argentine striker Taty Castellanos from MLS side New York City FC per reports from Spanish media outlet <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20230611/1002021761/taty-castellanos-rumbo-benfica.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mundo Deportivo</a>. The 24-year-old had an excellent season on loan at Girona scoring 14 goals in 37 appearances guiding the club to a respectable tenth-placed finish in the La Liga standings. &nbsp;</p>



<p>However, Girona are now set to miss out on securing a permanent move for the player as he is close to joining Benfica with the Portuguese side triggering his €15m release clause at New York City.</p>



<h2>West Ham, Sevilla and Benfica interested in Taty Castellanos</h2>



<p>Earlier respectable transfer journalist Cesar Luis Merlo had claimed that both West Ham and Sevilla are interested in the striker who wants to now ply his trade in Europe. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🚨Taty Castellanos no seguirá en el Girona ya que el club no está en condiciones de comprarlo. <br>*️⃣West Ham y Sevilla ya han mostrado un interés concreto. New York City está dispuesto a venderlo y pretende un piso de €15M para desprenderse de él. <a href="https://t.co/f1T09rRtG2">pic.twitter.com/f1T09rRtG2</a></p>— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLMerlo/status/1667243139071877129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Castellanos’ age attracted Benfica’s interest as the 24-year-old brings in a sell-on value in a few years. The report also claims that the striker will head to Portugal in the next few days.</p>



<p><a href="https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/videos/benfica-em-negociacoes-adiantas-com-taty-castellanos-adianta-cnn/6484c7d10cf2665294e70a2e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNN Portugal</a> have also claimed that Benfica are in advanced negotiations to secure the services of Castellanos. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Taty Castellanos é o novo (forte) alvo para reforçar o ataque do Benfica. Negociação está em andamento e gira em torno de 15 M€. Avançado argentino de 24 anos pertence ao New York City e esteve emprestado ao Girona na última época (via <a href="https://twitter.com/cnnportugal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cnnportugal</a>)</p>— Bruno Andrade (@brunoandrd) <a href="https://twitter.com/brunoandrd/status/1667604925126262788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The Argentine shot to fame when he scored four goals against Real Madrid in the La Liga earlier this season helping Girona beat the Los Blancos 4-2 in the encounter. He has an eye for goal, is good at holding up the ball in the final third, and is also adept in the air, bringing in all the qualities of a striker that Benfica will benefit from as they aim to defend their League title next season.</p>



<p>Benfica’s gain would certainly come as a blow for New York City as yet another player in his prime looks destined to leave the MLS for the greener pastures of Europe. Interestingly Castellanos scored four goals against Real Salt Lake in April 2022. </p>



<p>The 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner is yet to play for the national side but given his exploits this past season, he will surely be knocking on the door for the reigning World Cup champions.</p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Pressinphoto</em></p>


Benfica are attemptng to sign NYCFC footballer Taty Castellanos. In addition to Benfica, other European clubs are interested.

Benfica aims to sign Taty Castellanos from NYCFC - World Soccer Talk

Benfica aims to sign Taty Castellanos from NYCFC

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Messi’s Argentina teammate reportedly agrees to $34 million move from Serie A to Premier League

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Benfica aims to sign Taty Castellanos from NYCFC