River Plate manager Leonardo Ponzio has targeted 28-year-old Argentine striker Valentín ‘Taty’ Castellanos as the club’s primary objective to bolster their attack in the January 2027 transfer window, according to fichajes.net.
- Wages and transfer valuation present a major hurdle, meaning any finalized deal will likely hinge on structured loan payments or partial economic rights deals.
The Buenos Aires giants are planning to make Castellanos the centerpiece of a rebuilt squad following a disappointing campaign across all domestic and international competitions. According to fichajes.net, the club’s board considers the Mendoza-born forward to possess the mobility, penalty-box aggression, and international pedigree required to revitalize their scoring output.
Securing the signature of the forward will test the financial and institutional limits of the Núñez outfit. Castellanos joined West Ham United in January 2026 from Lazio and is tied down to a contract running until June 2030, which includes an option for an additional year. His current market valuation sits at 28 million euros.
Fichajes.net reported that the player’s wages at the English club under manager Scott Parker sit well above standard parameters for South American football. To bypass these steep financial roadblocks, the River Plate hierarchy is exploring alternative negotiation structures, including a loan deal featuring a purchase option or acquiring a percentage of the player’s economic rights.
🚨 River Plate have identified West Ham striker Valentín Castellanos as their primary attacking target for the winter market.https://t.co/tPkGfgnAYM#WHUFC #RiverPlate #efl #LigaProfesional
Ponzio’s technical secretariat plans to step up informal soundings with the player’s representatives during the opening weeks of December 2026. However, any formal approach depends entirely on West Ham’s willingness to soften their stance.
With a long-term contract firmly in place, the English side faces no financial pressure to offload the two-time Argentina international. Castellanos has also attracted interest from European outfits including AC Milan and Everton, leaving the Premier League club in a position of complete control as the January 2027 window approaches.
| Player | Current Club | Contract Expiry | Market Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentín Castellanos | West Ham United | June 2030 | €28,000,000 |
River Plate is simultaneously preparing several high-profile departures to balance the ledger and clear space for a revamped frontline. Whether those outgoing transfers can generate enough room to land their primary target remains the defining question for the club’s boardroom.
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