How to avoid relegation? Pay 50 million for two strikers

It is clear that West Ham were not satisfied with the output of their attackers and decided to address the issue in the January transfer window. Recently, German striker Niclas Fullkrug was sent on loan to Milan, and this morning Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme moved to Sporting Lisbon for a fixed fee of 14 million euros, with an additional three million in bonuses and 15 percent of any future transfer. The replacements have already been unveiled. After Brazilian forward Pablo from Gil Vicente, who was signed for 23 million, the club today confirmed the arrival of Argentine striker Valentín “Tati” Castellanos. He joins from Lazio in a deal worth 30 million. West Ham could pay Lazio a further five million euros in potential bonuses.

As a reminder, Castellanos arrived at Lazio two and a half years ago from New York City FC for 15 million, after an excellent loan spell at Girona. The American club will now also receive an additional three million euros, having retained 10 percent of the player’s next sale. Incidentally, NYCFC had originally signed him for less than half a million euros from Uruguayan side Torque. It turned out to be a great piece of business for the Americans, Lazio also doubled their investment, and Castellanos himself benefited as well. At Lazio, he earned just over one million per season, while in London he will earn three million annually until the June of 2030.

New AC Milan No. 9 – Niclas Fullkrug

It remains to be seen how West Ham will fare with this deal, as the club have had little luck with strikers in recent years and their investments in Fullkrug, Ings, Scamacca and Haller failed to pay off. They are hoping that this time things will be different, although Castellanos is already 27 and it is unlikely the London club will be able to recoup their investment in the future. They probably do not expect to, but they do expect goals from the Argentine forward. At Lazio, he scored 22 goals in 98 matches and also provided 16 assists. He did not manage to replicate Ciro Immobile’s numbers, but even with that output he was a key attacking figure for Lazio. Together with new signing Pablo, he should ease the burden on Jarrod Bowen and help Callum Wilson, who, after Fullkrug’s departure, remains the only classic “number nine” in the squad.