NYCFC
NYCFC’s ‘Taty’ Castellanos hoping to stay in Europe amid Benfica interest
The loan spell with Girona has ended for the Argentine striker who is keen to play in Europe next season with Lisbon’s Benfica rumoured to be interested in his services.
NYCFC’s Valentín ‘Taty’ Castellanos hit the headlines towards the end of the season as his goals helped loan side Girona to battle for a place in the 2023/24 UEFA Conference League. The Argentine moved to Europe after a 2021 MLS Cup win with New York City FC along with winning the Golden Boot in the North American league. His loan spell is up in Spain and amid talk that he will return to MLS, a potential suitor from Portugal is reportedly showing interest in his services.
The Argentinian striker raised eyebrows around the world last April as he bagged four goals in Girona’s demolition of Real Madrid in LaLiga with 13 strikes in total for the Catalan outfit.
According to TyC journalist César Luis Merlo, clubs like West Ham or Sevilla have shown interest in the striker but Lisbon based sports daily ‘Record’ claim that Benfica are seriously looking at ‘Taty’ as the perfect replacement for a possible sale of Gonçalo Ramos.
Taty in the Champions League?
A move to Benfica would see the 24-year-old striker getting to play in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League alongside teammates such as compatriot Nicolás Otamendi, Greek Odysseas Vlachodimos and Turkish Orkun Kökcü in a Benfica side marshalled by German Roger Schmidt.