REPORT: Palmeiras offer NYCFC $12.5 million for Taty Castellanos

If New York City FC fans should expect anything this offseason, star striker Taty Castellanos departing for better opportunities elsewhere should be at the top of the list. The Argentinian striker lit up MLS in 2021, scoring 19 goals in league competition while also scoring three goals in the MLS Cup Playoffs en route to NYCFC winning their first championship.

Earlier in the year, Castellanos was linked to a variety of teams, be it Palmeiras in Brazil or even a club in the Netherlands. Palmeiras was particularly persistent, reportedly making several offers of around $4 million for Castellanos, all of which were denied by NYCFC. The Bronx-based club would lock Taty into a new 5-year deal amidst Palmeiras’ relentless pursuit, gambling on Castellanos having a true breakout year and increasing his value on the market, and ensuring the club all the spoils once it came time to cash in.

The bet paid off. Taty won the Golden Boot, played a massive role in City’s MLS Cup-winning campaign, and now he’s among the hottest commodities in all of MLS. As expected, many clubs have begun enquiring about Taty’s cost ahead of the 2022 winter transfer window. The cast of clubs in the Taty Castellanos Sweepstakes is extremely diverse as well. The Premier League’s West Ham United have reportedly expressed interest, and Serie A’s Torino is also apparently in the mix. Despite some attractive offers from Europe, it seems that Palmeiras hasn’t been thwarted in their pursuit of Taty.

In a report from ESPN, Palmeiras have splashed the pot with a $12.5 million offer for Castellanos. According to ESPN’s report — done by Jeff Carlisle and Daniel Bocatto — Palmeiras put in their 8-digit bid days after NYCFC won the MLS Cup on penalties against the Portland Timbers. However, the offer might not be enough as New York City apparently will not let go of Taty for anything less than $15 million.

If Carlisle and Bocatto’s numbers are correct regarding the club’s valuation of Castellanos, it’s unlikely that this Palmeiras bid will be accepted. However, even if NYCFC gives the Brazilian club the classic hand wave, it remains highly improbable that Taty will be suiting up in an NYCFC locker room come February.

Obviously, anything can happen, and it’s not impossible that City finds it more appropriate to move Taty in the summer window midseason. But if I were you, I’d be getting my tear-jerking goodbye messages at the ready.