Leeds United have struggled hugely with injuries to key players this season, none more so than Patrick Bamford, yet the Whites now look open to signing a competitor to the England international with MLS star Taty Castellanos.
According to TN Deportivo, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have become the latest to register an interest in the New York City FC talisman, with River Plate still leading the race for the Argentine attacker.
An unorthodox striker who exploded onto the scene year with 23 goals in all competitions as Ronny Deila’s NCYFC side won the MLS Cup, Castellanos has asserted himself as the latest hot prospect in the North American league.
And whilst footballing giants River Plate sitting in the driver seat to sign the MLS superstar, Leeds and sporting director Victor Orta should be doing all they can to sign Castellanos, who could be perfect for the Premier League club.
Castellanos could be Leeds’ long-term replacement for Bamford
At 23, Castellanos is a player who is beginning to hit his stride and is showing signs of what his peak years could look like, with the Argentine five years younger than Bamford, who last season had his best year yet in football.
With injury plaguing the striker’s sophomore season in the Premier League, Orta must be looking towards next campaign for a name that could lead the line should Bamford’s struggles continue, and Castellanos is just that man for Leeds.
Physically imposing and a penalty box menace, Castellanos has honed his game to become a nuisance in the penalty area for opposing players, with the striker also quite reliable both from the penalty spot and in the air, with seven of the forward’s 23 goals last season coming from these positions.
Originally starting life at NYCFC as a winger, Castellanos has flourished in the striker role since making the position his own under Deila. Indeed, the attacker has shown to also be a solid creative player in the frontline, with the Argentine assisting eight goals in MLS last year.
Orta has mammoth task of beating River Plate to Castellanos
After a historic season, the Premier League or Europe as a whole should be the next logical step for Castellanos, however, River Plate are putting up a serious challenge to Leeds of signing the MLS superstar.
With Julian Alvarez set to leave the historic Argentine club for Manchester City this year, River Plate have both the money and stature to lure Castellanos back to his homeland, where he will likely be a starter.
Indeed, Leeds have pulling power, but for a South American like Castellanos, River Plate offers a huge opportunity for the striker, where he will play regular football whereas the Yorkshire giants could favour Bamford if he remains fit enough.
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