West Ham Place Taty Castellanos ‘Off-Limits’ Amid Relegation Fire Sale

West Ham have told Taty Castellanos that he has been placed ‘off-limits’ in the transfer market this summer, as the club attempts to rebuild following its catastrophic relegation from the Premier League, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Argentine attacker was a rare success story at the London Stadium last season, scoring seven times in 22 appearances following his arrival from Lazio in January. 

That record, combined with the determination he showed to try and keep Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad up, is expected to see The Hammers inundated with offers from potential suitors over the coming months. 

ASTRONOMICAL

But, after deciding to stick with Nuno rather than hire Scott Parker, they have now informed Castellanos and his representatives that none of those will be considered, unless, of course, someone is prepared to pay what one source has described as a “ridiculously astronomical fee” way above the figure it took to lure him away from Rome.

Retaining Castellanos’ services was understood to be among Nuno’s key demands during his talks with West Ham’s board during the immediate aftermath of the team’s slide into the Championship. 

Many key names, including Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, are set to depart as owner David Sullivan looks to balance the books and comply with the English Football League’s strict financial regulations. 

But there is an acceptance that not every key performer can be sold if The Hammers are to mount a serious challenge for promotion. 

SURRENDERING 

Castellanos is among those who have been told they are set to remain in the capital and, having accepted his new employers were at risk of surrendering their top-flight status when he joined, the 27-year-old is prepared to stay for at least another 12 months before reviewing his future.

Despite being born in Mendoza, Castellanos began his professional career with Universidad de Chile in the Chilean capital Santiago before heading to Uruguay with Torque. 

He then moved to another club operating under the City Group umbrella, New York City, ahead of a switch to Italy following a spell on loan in Spain.