According to journalist Conor McGilligan, Leeds United are looking to sign New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos in the summer – and the Yorkshire club have been looking at the Argentinian for a while.
It is no secret that Leeds struggled with player fitness this past season and one of the worst affected areas was the striker position, as star man Patrick Bamford missed the majority of the campaign, leaving manager Jesse Marsch with Rodrigo as the only recognised forward in the first team.
With this in mind, it will not surprise fans that the Yorkshire team are looking to bolster their attacking line this summer, with the signing of a new striker to compete with Bamford next season. Their most recent rumour has linked them with a player from MLS, that being New York City FC striker Castellanos, who has impressed so far this term.
Indeed, journalist Dean Jones highlighted the striker as ‘one to keep an eye on‘ last week.
McGilligan has tipped them to sign the Argentinian and has urged fans to keep an eye on the possible transfer during a video on the One Leeds Fan Channel on YouTube, hailing the 23-year-old as ‘the best striker’ in MLS.
He said: “Leeds are apparently going head over heels for a striker at the minute. He sort of fits the mould, he’s the best striker in the MLS at the minute, looks very complete, Argentinian. So yeah, a few links there, apparently Leeds have been looking at him for a while as well. So yeah, Valentin Castellanos. Keep an eye on that name.”
Will Leeds sign Castellanos?Yes
No
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TIF Thoughts on the potential signing…
Leeds needs to bolster their frontline, and with a limited budget, it would make sense to look in leagues that will not be hotly contested, so signing Castellanos – labelled ‘top-class‘ by NYCFC boss Ronny Deila at the start of last season – could be perfect.
He is only rated at £10.8m by Transfermarkt and at the age of 23, he has a long career ahead of him and could develop in the Premier League under Marsch.
So far this season for NYCFC, he has picked up seven goals and one assist in 11 MLS games this season while bagging 23 goals and eight assists in all competitions in 2020/21. Meanwhile, he ranks in the 98th percentile for non-penalty expected goals and also ranks well in defensive areas – he is in the 90th percentile for aerial duels with 3.75, 84th for clearances with 1.08 and 71st in pressures with 18.23 per game (as per FBRef).
Bamford missed 29 Premier League games this season and left them with Rodrigo and Dan James taking up most of the striker minutes. If this continues, they can expect to be in another relegation battle next term, which makes acquiring a player like Castellanos essential.