Report: West Ham are now favourites to sign the new Didier Drogba, he’s already impressed Guardiola

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According to The Mirror, West Ham United are now in pole position to sign New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos this summer.

The Hammers have been linked with a move to sign the talented Argentinian for a while now. David Moyes’ side were first said to be interested in Castellanos in December last year – at the same time that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were reportedly keen.

City and Castellanos’ NYCFC are owned by the same group, and one would assume that a deal between the two clubs would be a fairly straightforward one to complete. The striker even reportedly caught Guardiola’s eye, which made many believe that West Ham stood no chance of signing him.

However, City went ahead and signed Julian Alvarez instead, and they don’t need Castellanos anymore. As a result, the Hammers are now the favourites to get a deal done.

• Report: Everton wanted to sign ‘unbelievable’ West Ham target Castellanos in January

West Ham are favourites to sign Valentin Castellanos

NYCFC reportedly value Castellanos at £12.8 million. River Plate, who will lose Alvarez to Manchester City, wanted to sign the 23-year-old Argentinian as a replacement, but they just can’t afford to pay that fee.

For West Ham, however, that figure is no problem whatsoever. Moyes’ side are set to be ambitious in this summer’s transfer window, and one of the Irons boss’ key requirements is a new striker.

Sebastien Haller left a long time ago and West Ham are still yet to replace him. Michail Antonio is the main man and he has done a phenomenal job, but the Englishman is not getting any younger, and he needs some help.

Castellanos, who has 11 goals and five assists to his name in 16 appearances this season, is viewed as the man, and the report claims that the Hammers are winning the race to sign him.

The new Didier Drogba

When Manchester City and West Ham were linked with a move to sign Castellanos, Manchester Evening News spoke to American football expert and MLS UK Show Podcast’s Henry Hewitt.

He compared the Argentinian to one of the greatest strikers the Premier League has ever seen.

Hewitt said: “He actually reminds me a lot of Didier Drogba. He’s very confident to the point where it could be seen as arrogance but has more than shown his quality the season. He doesn’t just score one type of goal. He’s strong, quick, good with his head and isn’t afraid to bring his teammates into play.

“Sometimes players who are as confident as Castellanos are reluctant to share the ball about but with his assists this season he’s given up goalscoring opportunities for himself to pass to someone else in a better position.”

In other news, There’s a growing feeling around West Ham about which club Declan Rice wants to play for next season