New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos continues to be linked with a move to Leeds United. It comes just days after club officials including Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear were spotted in New York City just a few miles away from NYCFC's stadium with transfer talks for Castellanos.
The striker had been linked to Leeds in January after the 23-year-old has had a breakout 18 months - scoring 28 goals in 43 games in the MLS, and his name is now being linked with a move to West Yorkshire once again.
Castellanos is a player who has had a quick rise to prominence, leading NYCFC to the MLS Cup last season, with a number of European clubs vying for his signature. And Leeds might now well be in talks with the American club, with Orta, Kinnear and Leeds director Massimo Marinelli at Quality Meats Steakhouse on Central Park – just five miles away from New York City’s Yankee Stadium last week.
ALSO READ: Raphinha transfer latest: Liverpool offer, meeting planned, Leeds United star's transfer admission
But how would Castellanos fit into Leeds' team?
Jesse Marsch's 4-2-2-2
Throughout his time as a manager, Jesse Marsch has favoured the 4-2-2-2 formation. This, sees two holding midfielders, two attacking acting as narrow wingers with full-back overlapping - along with two strikers.
This off-season Marsch is set to acquire players who will fit the formation as he begins to remould his side ahead of the new Premier League season, as they'll hope to remain out of a relegation battle this time around.
Realistically, Leeds already have good options for the formation at in defence, whilst their potential incoming Rasmus Kristensen would immediately offer the perfect attacking option at right-back.
In midfield, the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw and Lewis Bate all perfectly fit the roles, with the potential of new signings, including Tyler Adams, fitting in nicely.
Whilst in the attacking midfield roles, Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson will likely be the two favourites to start should Raphinha leave, with the likes of Dan James, Sam Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville and further additions looking to support the attack.
Leeds' current strikers, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Joe Gelhardt are all capable attackers, but Marsch is clearly looking to upgrade his ranks at the position.
What would Valentin Castellanos bring?
Although it's a 4-2-2-2 formation, one of the strikers in the system is usually dropping deeper into the hole. This, allows the attacking midfielders to push out as wingers, whilst also needing a striker to play on the last man. The latter, is something that Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt will both compete for.
Castellanos, meanwhile, is a quick and powerful striker who has been praised for his workrate. Whilst he'll line up as a striker, he likes to drop deeper and dictate the play from central attacking midfield positions, whilst also picking and choosing his moments to play on the last shoulder - that's something different which Leeds don't really have.
He's been compared to former Manchester United and City striker Carlos Tevez, and it's a comparison that makes sense. Castellanos is not the tallest or the quickest, but he's tenacious in his approach.
He will run and press all game long, looking to win the ball back and initiating quick attacks in a similar approach to Liverpool's Roberto Firmino. Of course, moving from the MLS to the Premier League is a big step up, and one which players who have made the move have struggled to make the impact that they'd have liked - see Miguel Almiron and Jozy Altidore.
But obviously, every player is different, and Castellanos has the traits which should excite Leeds fans, if they're able to pull the transfer off.
