Everton and Fulham are locked in a battle to bring Argentinian striker Valentin Castellanos back to the Premier League following West Ham United’s relegation to the EFL Championship. Both top-flight clubs are keen to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new campaign and have identified the 27-year-old as an ideal focal point for their respective front lines. Castellanos only arrived at the London Stadium in January, completing a €30m move from Serie A side Lazio. Despite West Ham’s disastrous season, the [‘fantastic’](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/ronny-deila-nycfc-so-confident-for-concacaf-champions-league-after-mls-cup-title) striker was a genuine bright spot, scoring seven goals in 22 appearances across all competitions under Nuno Espirito Santo. His well-rounded skillset—combining intelligent link-up play, relentless work rate, and an ability to drift into channels—has made him one of the most sought-after players from the relegated squad.
Everton’s interest stems from a pressing need to diversify their frontline. The Toffees have often lacked a dynamic presence up front, with both Beto and Thierno Barry failing to impress. Meanwhile, Fulham see the Argentina international as a key piece to enhance their attack under incoming manager Alvaro Arbeloa. However, securing Castellanos’ signature will be far from straightforward. Having signed a long-term contract until 2030, West Ham hold significant leverage and have reportedly made the forward “off-limits” as part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s rebuild. While the Hammers expect a lucrative fire sale of other star players, they are determined to retain Castellanos to spearhead their promotion push. Unless Everton or Fulham are prepared to table an offer well above his initial valuation, West Ham are expected to fight hard to keep their star man in the capital for at least another twelve months.