Director says ‘fantastic’ £12m star is not close to Leeds or Newcastle move

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Premier League trio Leeds United, Everton and Newcastle like Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos but a move away from the MLS is far from close, New York City FC’s sporting director David Lee tells MLS Soccer. 

Talk about picking up where you left off. After scoring 23 goals last term – firing NYCFC to MLS Cup glory and securing the Golden Boot along the way – Castellanos continues to prove that he is no ‘one season wonder’.

The Argentina U23 international has already hit the target 11 times in 17 matches since the turn of the year, including four in April’s 6-0 thumping of San Jose Earthquakes. 

“He scores in training all the time. I’m not very surprised today that he scored four goals,” says then-coach Ronny Deila. “He’s a top, top player. And he’s now back to being balanced mentally and physically.”

Newcastle and Everton are among the clubs looking to take Castellanos across the Atlantic. According to Dean Jones of Give Me Sport, a Leeds side wasting no time in the transfer market are currently in pole position. Their links with USA-based investors should help, as will the presence of the American-born former MLS Coach of the Year Jesse Marsch on the Elland Road touchline. 

Is Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos heading to Leeds United?

According to New York City’s sporting director, however, there is a long way to go before Castellanos can board a flight to England and swap the ‘Big Apple’ for the rolling hills of West Yorkshire.

“As of now, there’s no tangible update, really,” Lee says of a striker valued at around £12 million.

“We haven’t received an offer that we think is acceptable. Until that happens, Taty will remain with our team, continue to perform and score goals for us. When more offers come, we’ll assess them and decide if it’s right.

“We’ve had a lot of interest, a lot of phone calls but we haven’t had a bid we’ve received that we believe is acceptable.

“I’m sure the interest and bids will keep coming because he’s a fantastic player.”

Leeds have already snapped up Red Bull Salzburg duo Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson, with Bayern Munich misfit Marc Roca en route. Gonzalo Plata of Sporting Lisbon is another leading target.