“Drove me crazy” – West Ham player on failed transfer after talks with coach

West Ham United’s Taty Castellanos has revealed he had an opportunity to join River Plate earlier in his career.

The Argentina international appeared on a stream with LaAgusneta and Teo D’Elia to talk about a few topics.

La Página Millonaria covers the West Ham player’s comments on River Plate’s interest and also explains why the move never materialised.

The striker arrived in Europe for the first time when Girona signed him from New York City FC in 2022. A year later, he left the La Liga side to join Lazio permanently. He spent over three years with the Serie A side before Nuno Espírito Santo’s side signed him in January.

West Ham player surrounded by River Plate fans

The South American club had approached the 27-year-old when Matías Biscay was their assistant. The latter’s first spell was between June 2012 and December 2022. He returned to River Plate, again as Marcelo Gallardo’s assistant, in August 2024.

Taty Castellanos reveals having a chat with Biscay over joining the Argentine club. In addition to this, people close to him pushing him to leave New York City FC for River Plate.

“My friends from Mendoza and my brother are all River Plate fans, they were driving me crazy trying to get me to come,” he said.

“I even spoke with Gallardo’s assistant, Biscay. This was six months before Gallardo ended his first stint at the club.”

Why Taty Castellanos didn’t join River Plate

According to La Página Millonaria, River Plate tried signing the attacker in the summer of 2022, after losing Julián Alvarez to Manchester City. In the same window, the Argentine club had sold Enzo Fernández to Benfica.

These two deals significantly improved their finances, but the report now claims River Plate refused to meet New York City’s $15m [€12.7m] price. Therefore, he didn’t end up joining them.

Taty Castellanos has two goals from nine matches in all competitions from West Ham. He has a contract until 2030, with an option for another year, but is linked with a move away from the Hammers.

Last week, Sport Witness covered Brazilian claims Flamengo are considering him for the near future.