In recent days, reports have been circulating that Leeds United are leading the race for New York City FC striker, Valentin Castellanos. The Whites are keen to add a centre forward to their squad ahead of the 22/23 season, after Patrick Bamford suffered with several injuries in 21/22, ruling him out for much of the Premier League season.
Under both Marcelo Bielsa and latterly Jesse Marsch, Leeds struggled badly without a proper number nine to lead the line, with Daniel James having to play out of position for the majority of the season. In Castellanos, Leeds would be getting a 'fantastic' player, according to New York City manager, Ronny Deila. Speaking after the January transfer window, when both Leeds and West Ham United were linked to the striker, Deila said:
"When you’re an attractive club and you’re doing well, there’s always interest around our players. So he is professional. We are professional. He’s our player right now and we’re preparing for the game with Taty, and that’s of course very good for us, because he’s a fantastic football player. But I can also understand that there’s a lot of interest around him.
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"He’s a great player, anyone would be interested in him. But I haven’t heard anything, nothing new, and the window in Europe is closed. So I’m preparing with Taty for the season and into the summer, but things change quick in football."
Castellanos scored 22 goals as his side won the MLS Cup last season, alongside scoring four goals and making four assists in six CONCACAF Champions League appearances . He has scored seven goals in 11 MLS appearances so far in the 2022 season.
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