West Ham Targets Lazio’s Taty Castellanos: What Can the Argentine Add to Their Attack?

Could Taty Castellanos be a blend of Dzeko and Berbatov?

West Ham’s pursuit of attacking options is nearing a pivotal moment, with Lazio’s Taty Castellanos on the verge of a January transfer. Reports indicate that an agreement has been reached between the Hammers and the Serie A club for a fee around €29 million, positioning the Argentinian as one of the initial signings at the London Stadium this month. This development follows the departure of German forward Niclas Füllkrug, who has joined AC Milan on loan. Additionally, West Ham is anticipated to secure Brazilian striker Pablo from Gil Vicente during this transfer window.

Having transitioned through clubs in New York City, Girona, and now Lazio, Castellanos has quietly established himself as a versatile forward capable of adapting to varied systems and leagues. His impressive form at Lazio has intensified interest, and with West Ham eager to bolster their offense to steer clear of relegation, the timing of his potential transfer is crucial. Transfermarkt offers further insights into Castellanos and what he might deliver to East London.

What can Taty Castellanos offer to West Ham?

Stefano Buonfino, a Content Manager for Transfermarkt in Italy, has been closely monitoring Castellanos’ progress. He notes: “Castellanos is an atypical striker. His value isn’t just in his goal-scoring but more in his ability to integrate well with the team and facilitate play. While he doesn’t score often, he significantly contributes to his teammates’ performance, both on and off the ball.” At Lazio, Castellanos has netted 22 goals across 98 appearances in various competitions.

Buonfino adds, “His time at Lazio has been largely positive, though his goal tally is a disappointment. Historically, the team was built around Ciro Immobile, who was a prolific scorer (four-time Serie A top scorer), creating a structure centered on goal-scoring. With Immobile, Luis Alberto, and Sergio Milinkovic-Savic departing, Lazio underwent a transformation, but results haven’t met expectations.” Last season, the Eagles finished seventh in Serie A and are currently eighth halfway through the ongoing season.

When asked to compare Castellanos to another striker based on style, Buonfino remarked: “It’s challenging to find direct comparisons due to his unique attributes. He embodies aspects of a target man, a secondary striker, and a playmaker. Perhaps he’s a blend of Edin Džeko and Dimitar Berbatov, though lacking their physicality and athleticism. He shares some similarities with Richarlison, but their profiles aren’t entirely aligned either.”

“He has the potential to succeed in the Premier League, given his determination to secure a spot. However, this is contingent on building chemistry with attacking teammates. Wingers like Crysencio Summerville may find Castellanos a valuable partner, as he is willing to support the team and help create scoring opportunities. Yet, successful integration requires time, which can be challenging after a January move. With West Ham currently positioned in the relegation zone, four points from safety, they are in need of immediate impact from their new signings.”