Leeds United front queue for Valentin Castellanos but NYCFC yet to receive suitable bid
Leeds United are at the head of “intense interest” in New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos but no suitable bid has been made, according to 90min.
The MLS side are well aware of the player’s value and are “very unwilling to be negotiated down” for the 23-year-old forward.
Manchester City passed up the first option on the Argentine, as 90min reported on 3 June, and he was offered to the Whites, who are believed to be “most interested” out of a crowd including Everton, West Ham and Newcastle.
The club has representatives in the US to look at Castellanos and another American-based player, but have so far apparently not made a bid of the requisite size to tempt NYCFC.
A source told 90min that: “Given the hole his departure would leave in Ronny Deila’s team, NYCFC would only sell if a substantial offer was put on the table”.
United have already spent around £22million on Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson [The Athletic] and about £10million on teammate Rasmus Kristensen [Phil Hay].
Tables turned
The club will be very aware of this sort of situation as they have been sitting on the opposite side of it with the Raphinha to Barcelona saga.
Castellanos is clearly a crucial element in New York as he has already scored 11 times in 17 games during the current season.
He netted 19 times in the MLS last season, making him the league’s top scorer, and added three more in three playoff games as the team lifted the MLS Cup.
In that context they would certainly not want to let him go cheap, so if the interest is as high from Elland Road as reported they will need to stump up the cash.
He appears to be the kind of player who could definitely add something to the Whites squad if he can make the switch to the Premier League.
Current United star Jack Harrison has managed that and it has been claimed by Hudson River Blue that Castellanos is “twice the player” in New York that the English winger was.
Ironically it might require a side to come up with big-money to reach Raphinha’s asking price in order to arm the club with the finances to do so in return on this deal.
In other Leeds United news, a star Elland Road player has informed the club they don’t want to sign an improved contract.