As the January transfer window draws near, the list of players linked with a move to Leeds United increases and the latest is an Argentina international currently playing in Italy.
Daniel Farke’s switch to a 3-5-2 system has highlighted the need for cover up front, and perhaps a central defender. Joe Rodon’s injury on Sunday reminded fans that only Sebastiaan Bornauw provides any cover.
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Farke’s decision to switch to a 4-3-3 when Rodon went off proves he doesn’t trust Bornauw, yet. Leeds need cover in the middle of the defence if they are to continue with a 3-5-2, as well as signing a striker.
Lukas Nmecha is back, but the drop off after Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is vast. Noah Okafor is not a striker, and Joel Piroe could leave in January. So, a new striker is also likely to be on the agenda.
Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty ImagesLeeds join race to sign Lazio’s Argentina star Taty Castellanos
Leeds have been linked with a plethora of different strikers. Troy Parrott, Joshua Zirkzee and many more already even before the window has opened. Now, TuttoMercatoWeb say Leeds want Taty Castellanos.
The two-time Argentina star, who had a hand in 22 goals for Lazio last season, has fallen out of favour with manager Maurizio Sarri in recent weeks. A January exit is becoming more and more of a possibility.
However, Leeds are not alone in pursuit of Castellanos, who won his first of two caps for Argentina in September 2024. West Ham are also keeping tabs, while Flamengo want to lure him to Brazil.
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Do Leeds even NEED signings after enjoying success with a 3-5-2 formation?
We speak about what is possible (privately) but it’s not my job to speak in public about it or judge it in any way. I deal with what I’ve got. Of course I want the best possible squad, the best possible players and to improve the players as much as possible, but I don’t own the club
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Marcelo Bielsa wanted Castellanos at Leeds before his sacking
In and around the time of the January transfer window in 2022, Leeds were linked with Castellanos. At that time, he was still with Jack Harrison’s old team New York City, eventually joining Girona in 2023.
Leeds never moved for Castellanos, or anyone else for that matter, in the winter window of 2022, and ultimately, Bielsa received his marching orders at the end of February 2022. Leeds weren’t linked again.
There may have been some lingering interest from Victor Orta, who did sign Brenden Aaronson that summer after initially eyeing a move with Bielsa in charge. But Castellanos wasn’t linked with Leeds again.
Whether Leeds move for a striker in January remains to be seen and could hinge on the club’s ability to avoid crossing the PSR line. But Castellanos is a top striker, potentially available for an affordable fee.
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