WEST HAM are among a host of European clubs keeping tabs on £15 million rated New York City hot-shot Valentin Castellanos.
The 23-year-old Argentine – known as ‘Taty’ – was the golden boot winner in the MLS last season when he scored 19 goals.
He also added to his tally as NYCFC were crowned US champions by edging past Portland Timbers on penalties at the weekend.
Although his strike celebrations were marred by shocking scenes which saw Castellanos’ team-mate Jesus Medina struck with a beer can thrown from the crowd.
The Hammers are looking for a forward in January to provide back up for Michail Antonio but are just one of several who have been alerted to the form of Castellanos.
Turkish giants Besiktas are keen – while Championship outfit Nottingham Forest were also prepared to pay around £8 million for him.
The City Football Group – who own NYCFC and his former club Torque – believe he is worth considerably more than that.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is on the look-out for a striker himself and he could yet come to the Etihad to train with the English champions.
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Guardiola said: “I think he is a guy who will make the next step and move to Europe.
“What I saw and heard when the scouting department talked to me about him, I think he is a quality player ready to play in Europe and we will see where.”
Guardiola may need to bolster his City attack if disgruntled winger Raheem Sterling heads to Barcelona in January.
Sterling shot to the top of Barca’s wishlist a few months ago when it emerged that the England national was considering a move away from the Etihad to pursue regular first-team football.
And Sterling stoked the flames of his possible City exit by admitting the prospect of playing abroad appealed to him.
But that was before his recent resurgence at the club which has seen him net five goals in his last eight games.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk