River Plate Targets Taty Castellanos for 2027, says The Sun

River Plate has included West Ham forward Taty Castellanos among its primary attacking targets for 2027, according to a report by Henry Tomlinson of The Sun.

The English club signed the player from Lazio in January 2026 under a contract running through mid-2030, but a potential departure during the winter transfer window remains under discussion.

Castellanos has recorded four goals and five assists across 17 appearances, including 10 starts, totaling 1,023 minutes on the pitch for West Ham. Stefano Di Carlo indicated that the club built its core roster during the previous transfer window and that any subsequent additions would be specific and targeted.

River Plate Failed to Sign Castellanos in 2022

River Plate first pursued Castellanos in mid-2022 as a replacement for Julián Álvarez following his transfer to Manchester City. Marcelo Gallardo targeted the forward, and River entered negotiations with New York City FC over a valuation of 15 million euros. River offered approximately 10 million dollars, but the deal did not materialize.

City Group ultimately transferred Castellanos to Spanish side Girona, where he famously scored four goals in a single match against Real Madrid. River subsequently signed Miguel Borja for 8.6 million dollars. Lazio later acquired Castellanos for 18 million euros before West Ham purchased his rights for 29 million euros.

Castellanos Overcame Physical Build Concerns During Early Trials

Born in Guaymallén, Castellanos never played in the Argentine Primera División. He began in youth football with Independiente Rivadavia, moved through Murialdo, and joined Universidad de Chile before playing for Montevideo City Torque. Reflecting on his early trials, Castellanos said that clubs initially turned him down because of his physical build.

“The first time I made it, the second time I didn’t,” he recalled of his early trials, adding that coaches told him he was too thin. “My friends from Mendoza and my brother are all River fans, they drove me crazy to go.”

At the international level, Castellanos won the South American Pre-Olympic Tournament with the Argentina Under-23 team in 2020 under coach Fernando Batista. On September 5, 2024, he made his senior national team debut against Chile at the Más Monumental stadium, replacing Julián Álvarez in the 89th minute of a 3-0 victory.

West Ham Considers Offers for Unsettled Castellanos

West Ham is reportedly open to listening to offers for Castellanos, though any exit depends on the English club’s stance and the final transfer conditions. Tomlinson reported that the player is currently unsettled in London and seeking a move in January. River Plate has maintained its interest as the club evaluates reinforcements for the upcoming campaign.

More on River Plate: River Plate Evaluates Futures of Players Currently on Loan · River Plate Considers Erick Pulgar for 2027 Transfer Window · Santiago Espíndola Makes Professional Debut for River Plate