Valentin Castellanos has been pictured at an airport reportedly bound for the Premier League after a decisive twist in the transfer battle between West Ham and Leeds.
West Ham face a mountain to climb to stay in the Premier League this season and Leeds are a big reason for it.
In the summer Paul Merson warned West Ham that Leeds would finish above them, predicting relegation for the east Londoners.
That now looks unerringly accurate unless the Hammers can turn their dismal season around and Leeds start to lose their way after a brilliant run of results.
Leeds are effectively eight points clear of the Irons thanks to their superior goal difference.
Castellanos at centre of battle between West Ham and Leeds
That leaves West Ham in the bottom three with the upcoming run of fixtures vital.
With Forest losing at Villa, West Ham know they can close to within a point of Sean Dyche’s side and potentially within four of Leeds if they beat Wolves.
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The January transfer window will play a huge part in whether West Ham can turn their campaign around in the second half of the season.
West Ham seem to mean business, breaking old habits by making a signing within the first 24 hours of the window.
Brazilian striker Pablo has arrived in a £20m deal.
The Hammers are far from done there, though.
Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images
West Ham are looking to sign former Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell, Fulham winger Adama Traore and Lazio striker Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos too.
The problem for Nuno Espirito Santo is that Leeds United also want Castellanos.
In fact West Ham were hit by a Leeds hijack attempt for Castellanos.
And with the Elland Road outfit sitting in the relative comfort of 16th, that would concern the Hammers.
Now ‘Taty’ Castellanos has been pictured at the airport as a winner is declared in the battle between West Ham and Leeds for his signature.
Castellanos pictured at airport as winner declared
Lazio’s 27-year-old Argentine forward Castellanos – known as Taty – was set to sign for the Hammers in a £27 million move.
Likened to former Hammers favourite Marko Arnautovic, Castellanos is an all-rounder known for contributing as many assists as he does goals.
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He is also highly regarded for his relentless pressing from the front, a key feature of Leeds’ game which West Ham sorely lack.
A host of top Italian journalists have been reporting that West Ham’s deal for was progressing quickly.
But a transfer specialist then claimed Leeds were showing strong interest in bringing Castellanos to Elland Road instead.
Now the player has chosen his next move and a picture has emerged showing he is on his way imminently.
The image has sent speculation into overdrive among supporters, with many taking it as a clear indication of how the short-lived tug-of-war for the striker has been resolved.
Photo by Marco Iacobucci/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Castellanos has been pictured during his final moments in Italy after Just Lazio captured the 27-year-old Argentine striker was spotted at the airport.
And it is claimed he was there about to board a flight to London to sign for West Ham rather than Leeds.
Much has been made of the reported £27m fee West Ham will be paying for Castellanos given his distinctly average goalscoring record.
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The jury will obviously be out on whether he can step up to Premier League level.
But as Hammers News has stated on several occasions, West Ham have rarely been a good enough side – or set up in a fashion – that can provide chances for an out-and-out penalty box striker.
All-rounder forwards like Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio, who press, fight and work hard, have always been far more successful in the claret and blue.
So West Ham fans will give Castellanos the benefit of the doubt, as they will Pablo too.
Leeds meanwhile will have to hope they can continue relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to remain fit and in form.
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