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West Ham Preparing January Move For Argentinian International

Taty Castellanos Lazio West Ham

West Ham are readying a bid for Lazio Striker Taty Castellanos as their search for a striker gathers pace before the January transfer window.

It’s been a miserable start to the Premier League season for West Ham.

The Irons have taken just 13 points from 15 games, and sit 18th in the table at the time of writing.

Manager Nuno Espirito Sant has made clear the club’s need for urgent reinforcements in the upcoming window.

Heavy defeats against Chelsea (5-1), Tottenham (3-0) and Sunderland (3-0) have been particularly damaging.

But even more concerning is the lack of firepower up front.

Despite flashes of life from the likes of West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson, the Hammers have scored only 17 goals, the fourth-lowest tally in the league.

With relegation pressure already rising, Nuno has made one thing clear – West Ham must sign a striker in January.

West Ham Line Up Move For Lazio’s Taty Castellanos

According to multiple reports from Italy, West Ham are preparing an official bid for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos, who is valued between £22-26 million.

The Hammers have admired the Argentine forward since his MLS days with New York City FC, and even explored a deal in the summer.

Now, the timing may finally be right. Lazio are battling severe financial issues and may need to sell to avoid another transfer ban.

According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Castellanos is “prepared to join West Ham straight away”, with the forward ready to leave Rome due to limited game time.

His desire for regular football is also driven by national-team ambitions, with the twice capped Argentine international aiming for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Any deal would hinge on Lazio securing Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori on loan as a replacement, but Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri has openly discussed this possibility.

“If you sell Castellanos to West Ham for €25m and take Raspadori on loan, it can be done,” he said.

“We’ve seen Taty at his best.”

This openness from Lazio’s hierarchy gives West Ham a major opportunity.

How Badly Do West Ham Need a Striker?

In short, desperately.

The Irons have been without a reliable number nine for some time, with injuries and bad form affecting all of their options.

The summer Niclas Füllkrug has proven disastrous, with the German expected to leave the club in the near future.

Füllkrug has scored just three goals in 29 games across all competitions and struggled with persistent fitness issues.

West Ham are prepared to sell him at a loss, with Bundesliga clubs Stuttgart and Hamburg monitoring the situation.

Füllkrug’s impending departure leaves Wilson as the only reliable goalscorer.

While the former Bournemouth and Newcastle striker has done okay, four goals in 12 league games is not enough for Premier League survival.

And at 33, the veteran’s peak is behind him.

Nuno has already had to use makeshift options to lead the line, and the results have been dreadful.

West Ham have been kept scoreless seven times this season, emphasising the need for a new goalscorer.

Castellanos can not only help with that, but also in other areas.

Unlike Füllkrug, he is not a traditional target man.

Instead, his link-up play, movement and aerial presence are what mark him out as a huge threat going forward.

Last season, he scored 14 times and provided five assists for Lazio across 40 appearances.

A mobile, reliable striker that can both create and score in a variety of ways, West Ham have been crying out for a player of this profile for years.

How Likely Are West Ham to Sign Taty Castellanos?

There are a number of reasons that a January deal for Taty Castellanos looks increasingly likely.

Firstly, Lazio need to sell due to their precarious financial position.

The player is also keen on the move, and is known to want a Premier League switch in January.

Lazio boss Sarri has signalled his willingness to let Castellanos leave, provided they can replace him.

And West Ham’s need is great, with the threat of relegation meaning they cannot afford to be passive in the market.

However, the Hammers are assessing several options.

Their striker shortlist also includes AC Milan’s Santiago Giménez, Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United and former Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

Of these names, Castellanos appears the most attainable, both in price and willingness to move.

At £26m, he represents a realistic investment compared to the far higher fee Al-Ahli would likely demand for Toney.

Given West Ham’s perilous league position, lack of goals, and the looming exit of Füllkrug, signing Taty Castellanos in January feels probable.

The striker wants the move, Lazio are ready to negotiate, and Nuno needs reinforcements immediately.

With Premier League survival at stake, Castellanos could be the signing that keeps the Irons up.

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