The top signing of River for 2027
The millionaire club has its sights set on a top-level Argentine forward.
The coach of River Plate, Leonardo Ponzio, has identified the Argentine center forward Valentín 'Taty' Castellanos, aged 28 years, as the primary target of the technical secretariat to strengthen the attack in the transfer window of January 2027. Taty Castellanos is the game changer that the millionaire team is preparing to become one of the strongest teams in South America again, after a disappointing season in all respects.
The board of directors of Núñez believes that the attacker from West Ham United possesses the essential characteristics of mobility, aggressiveness in the opponent's area, and international stature to raise the real quoteof the team, reigniting a historical desire that they have tried to fulfill in previous transfer windows.
The economic factor: contract locked until 2030 and valuation of 28 million
The main hindrance of the operation lies in the institutional strength of the London club. Castellanos, acquired by West Ham in January 2026 from Lazio, maintains a valid contractual link until June 2030 —with an option to extend for anadditional season— and has a market valuation estimated at 28 million euros on Transfermarkt.
In addition to the high transfer fee, the salary that he receives in the team managed by Scott Parker exceeds the usual parameters of South American football. In light of this financial situation, the management of River Plate is exploring alternative ways to facilitate his arrival: requesting a loan with a fee and option to buy, or structuring the acquisition of a percentage of the economic rights of the Mendoza attacker.
River Plate is also preparing several significant departures to adjust its accounts and build a star-studded attack for next year: Ángel Correa, Thiago Almada, and Taty Castellanos.
Market alternatives and West Ham United's stance
Any progress will depend exclusively on the 'Hammers' willingness to sit down and negotiate. With a long-term contract in place, the English club is in a strong position and has no financial urgency to part with the two-time international with the Argentina National Team, who has also appeared on the radar of European clubs such as AC Milan and Everton.
The millionaire technical secretariat will intensify their inquiries with the player's entourage during the first weeks of December 2026. If the West Ham United agrees to ease their demands and authorizes a loan, River Plate will formally advance to repatriate Valentín Castellanos to Argentine football at the beginning of 2027.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El fichaje top de River para 2027