Having covered those newspaper reports concerning a possible Taty Castellanos move only recently, it seems, nonetheless, that the very same rumours simply aren’t going away: Loud, dramatic, and almost entirely detached from reality.
A loan move? For a striker West Ham paid more than £25m for six months ago? A player who would be incredibly difficult to replace in the Championship? It makes even less sense when you remember, as reported exclusively by C&H, West Ham knocked back a €15m bid for him just three weeks ago.
The logic behind it collapses, the moment you look closely at the facts.
West Ham’s internal stance has been consistent, Taty is part of the promotion plan. Nuno wants him, the club want him, and the idea of weakening the squad by loaning out the clubs most effective senior striker is nonsensical. Even worse is the suggestion in one report that he could be loaned out and then allowed to play again for West Ham if we go up, a scenario that would go down like a lead balloon with supporters and ownership alike.
Castellanos’ camp appear to be generating the transfer noise.
So where’s the noise coming from? Simple, it seems most likely his camp are pushing options. Multiple reports say his representatives have been sounding out Premier League clubs, and clubs in Europe, in particular Spain, testing the market, and trying to create pressure. That doesn’t mean West Ham will budge, only that the player’s side are exploring escape routes from the Championship.
In short the rumours are flimsy, the logic is weaker, and West Ham’s position remains firm. Castellanos stays unless someone pays a fee that makes the club blink and right now, nobody is close.
I’m surprised of all the noise regarding Taty; when he signed in January, relegation was a realistic outcome so if he would not be up for a season in Championship, they should have demanded a release clause in the event of relegation.