Leeds United are being linked with new transfer targets every day at the moment, with the January window just around the corner, and the latest is a £22m-rated South American starring in Serie A.
With Daniel Farke now starting with three centre-backs and two up top, the lack of depth at centre-back and centre-forward has been highlighted. Especially with Joe Rodon and Lukas Nmecha’s recent injuries.
Robbie Evans has made it clear that Leeds may struggle to buy, given the club’s PSR position, but there is certainly scope for a couple of loan deals. Leeds will want cover in defence and another striker up top.
Porto’s Danny Namaso, Nottingham Forest’s James McAtee, and Leipzig defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu have been linked in recent days, as has Lazio’s Argentina international Taty Castellanos in Italian media.
Should Leeds follow Nottingham Forest’s path and risk a points deduction? 💸
“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position
Taty Castellanos’ stance on next move with Leeds interested
It’s not the first time that Leeds have been linked with the Lazio striker. Towards the end of his New York City stint, Leeds were linked with signing Castellanos before Marcelo Bielsa’s exit, but nothing happened.
Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Castellanos, who would join Girona on loan before a permanent move to Lazio in 2023. He had a hand in 22 goals for Maurizio Sarri’s side during 2024-25, in all competitions.
But this season, Castellanos has fallen down the pecking order under Sarri and Leeds are among the clubs interested in him. Italian site CalcioMercato say that Leeds face competition from Brazilian side Flamengo.
However, they also share Castellanos wants to remain in Europe. He is keen to make a late push for the Argentina squad and believes remaining in Europe gives him the best chance of doing that in January.
It hands Leeds an advantage over Flamengo, but initial reports state that Leeds will have to pay £22m if they are to sign Castellanos next month. Perhaps Leeds will try to organise a loan deal with an option.
Castellanos is the perfect kind of striker to go alongside DCL, isn’t he? 🔥
Lazio striker Castellanos has scored goals wherever he’s gone
The issue with the January window is that players can join a club but need a month or two to get up to speed. But if Leeds can rely on a player to hit the ground running from overseas, Castellanos is that man.
Everywhere Castellanos has gone, he has scored goals. A total of 83 goals and assists in 134 New York City appearances, 59 of which were goals of his own and then 14 more in 37 games for Girona on loan.
At Lazio, 38 more involvements in 97 games, with his best form coming last season. If Leeds sign the two-time Argentina star, the expectation will be a quick start but Leeds can trust him to score goals, quickly.
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