A new striker is on the agenda for Leeds this winter.
Daniel Farke has seemingly asked the 49ers to add a new frontman to his squad after switching to a 3-5-2 formation, which now requires two strikers to start compared to just one lone marksman in the 4-3-3 system Leeds used at the start of the season.
Many names such as Troy Parrott and Danny Namaso have been mentioned, but more recently, reports from Italy claim Leeds want Taty Castellanos of Lazio.
Now, both Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport – two of the best Italian news outlets – have shared encouraging updates for Leeds fans.
Taty Castellanos is already ‘saying goodbye’ to Lazio after Leeds United express interest
Corriere dello Sport now state that the Argentina international is already ‘saying goodbye’ to those at Lazio as the Serie A outfit prepare to sell the South American.
Castellanos is the perfect kind of striker to go alongside DCL, isn’t he? 🔥
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The story continues, adding that Castellanos is close to leaving due to the fact Maurizio Sarri wants a smaller forward like Dries Mertens instead.
Corriere dello Sport do not mention Leeds themselves, but Gazzetta dello Sport write that the Whites are ‘persistently pursuing’ the Argentine – who is open to a move to England this winter.
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The sticking point will be negotiations with Lazio, who are said to want at least €30m (£26m) to sell the man they paid €15m (£13m) to sign from New York City in July 2023.
Gazzetta dello Sport believe Leeds are unwilling to go that high, so talks are expected to take place to bridge the gap.
Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images
Lazio are in a strong negotiating position, as Castellanos remains under contract until July 2028.
If a fee can be agreed – however – we expect this deal to proceed rapidly, given Lazio’s desire to sell the striker and his own willingness to depart for the Premier League.
Leeds United should only entertain an initial loan deal for Taty Castellanos
The worry for Leeds here is that Castellanos could eat up the entire winter transfer budget.
A story from the Daily Mail states that Leeds ‘can find’ £25m to spend on new signings in January despite PSR restrictions, which is obviously close to the £26m sum Lazio are demanding.
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke’s plans.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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With Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor and Joel Piroe already available to Farke to fill two striker slots, it would make little sense to blow the entire budget on a player unproven in English football like Castellanos.
Therefore, we feel Leeds should only take the South American on an initial loan deal with an option to buy in the summer, effectively giving the 49ers a chance to look at the 27-year-old on trial first.
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