Calvert-Lewin repeat: Leeds make contact over deal to sign £22m star
Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has become Daniel Farke’s key player, netting seven times in his last six Premier League matches for the team. The former England international had found the back of the net just once and squandered ten significant opportunities in 11 outings for the Whites across all competitions, according to Sofascore, before this remarkable streak began.
Even with a free transfer, Calvert-Lewin represented a risky acquisition for Leeds since he netted only three goals from 6.75 xG in the Premier League last season while playing for Everton, as per Sofascore, indicating he was struggling in his career.
The Whites believed in their ability to revive his form, and they are reaping the rewards, as he has already surpassed his goal tally from the previous season. Now, the West Yorkshire club may be positioned to duplicate their success with Calvert-Lewin by pursuing another out-of-form striker.
According to Messaggero, as reported by Calcio Mercato, Leeds United is exploring a potential deal to acquire Lazio forward Valentin Castellanos in the upcoming January transfer window. The report suggests that the Whites have already reached out to the Italian club to inquire about acquiring the Argentine forward, contemplating a move for him next month.
Additionally, it states that Leeds are working to ascertain the current situation to facilitate negotiations for the 27-year-old attacker, signaling their intent to secure his services. Meanwhile, Tutto Mercato Web reports that both Leeds and West Ham United are keen on the forward, who may be available for approximately £22m.
Why Castellanos could be a Calvert-Lewin repeat
As previously mentioned, Leeds struck gold with Calvert-Lewin by capitalizing on his challenging spell at Everton during the 2024/25 season to bring him in on a free transfer.
A downturn in form or a disappointing season does not necessarily indicate that a player is permanently finished and incapable of regaining their best performance, as evidenced by the English striker’s resurgence this season, and the same may apply to Castellanos. The Argentine forward has managed to score just two goals in 12 appearances in all competitions this season, according to Sofascore, which may seem underwhelming for a centre-forward valued at £26m.
However, Castellanos registered 14 goals in all competitions for Lazio in the 2024/25 season, per Sofascore, which included four goals across 11 matches in the Europa League, illustrating his capability to score at elite levels.
| Castellanos (Serie A) | 24/25 | 25/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 29 | 11 |
| Goals | 10 | 2 |
| Shots on target per game | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| Minutes per goal | 240 | 347 |
| xA | 2.56 | 0.82 |
From the statistical breakdown above, it is clear that the 27-year-old forward has not been nearly as impactful in terms of scoring or creating opportunities in Serie A this season compared to his performance the previous year.
Just as Leeds did not acquire Calvert-Lewin based solely on his three-goal output for Everton last season, the Whites would be looking to sign Castellanos with the hope of restoring him to the form he exhibited in the 2024/25 season.
That’s why the Argentine forward holds potential to mirror their success with Calvert-Lewin, as they could secure a talented centre-forward during a dip in his career and assist him in returning to peak performance, thereby providing them with another valuable option in the attacking zone. Farke’s newly implemented 3-5-2 formation could facilitate starting both Calvert-Lewin and Castellanos simultaneously, possibly positioning Leeds with a formidable strike partnership if the German manager can ignite their performances effectively.
That is why the Whites should earnestly pursue the Lazio forward’s signature ahead of West Ham as the January transfer window approaches.
Published: 2025-12-30 19:10:00
source: www.footballfancast.com
