Leeds United have all-but missed out on the signing of New York City FC superstar Taty Castellanos with the attacker set to play his last MLS game this weekend before joining Girona FC in La Liga.
Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter late last night to confirm that this Saturday’s fixture against Phil Neville’s Inter Miami will be Castellanos’ farewell game from the Big Apple, with the Argentine attacker set to sign for fellow City Football Group side Girona in a deal that will come as a blow for Leeds.
Taty Castellanos will play his farewell game with NYCFC this week, then his move to Girona will be completed in the following days. 🇪🇸🇺🇸🤝 #MLS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2022
City Football Group are prepared to make it happen as they want Taty to try La Liga experience this season.
Jesse Marsch’s side were reportedly chasing Castellanos alongside other Premier League sides, however, CFG have made the decision to keep the 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner with the organisation, with the attacker set to sign for Girona, one of Manchester City’s many sister clubs.
The deal is reminiscent of a player who Leeds actually ended up signing in Jack Harrison, with the former New York City star signing for City before joining Middlesbrough on loan and then eventually the Whites, with the transfer eventually becoming permanent in 2021.
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Indeed, missing out on Castellanos will be a big blow for Leeds, with Girona potentially landing on a bargain if the La Liga side are playing anything close to New York City’s reported $15m (£12m) valuation for the Argentina attacker, who this year has once again been prolific in front of goal.
MLS products have been a big theme of Jesse Marsch’s transfer recruitment this summer with the American manager signing both Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams, two players who were developed in the division before moving to Europe, though the Leeds boss won’t make three-from-three with Castellanos.
Castellanos signing for Girona is a massive blow for the Premier League
Castellanos has been MLS’ standout player for the past 18 months, and it’s a shame that the Argentine attacker won’t be bringing his talents to Leeds or the Premier League as a whole as Girona look set to sign the New York City superstar this summer.
Indeed, it makes sense why a CFG club would sign one of the organisation’s most outstanding players, yet it will come as a blow for Leeds that they missed out on a player like Castellanos, who could become a superstar in Spain with Girona if the versatile attacker hits the ground running.
In other news, Man City transfer news: Bayern open to permanent Joao Cancelo signing