West Ham forward Taty Castellanos could be the subject of a bid from Flamengo this summer, according to reports in the Brazilian media.

Newspaper O Dia claim that the Argentinian international would be a realistic target if the Hammers are relegated from the Premier League.

Castellanos only moved to the London Stadium from Lazio for an initial €30m (£26m) during the January transfer window.

However, like the rest of the playing squad, a clause in his contract means that the striker’s salary will be cut in half if Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side don’t avoid the drop.

Flamengo have a line of communication open with West Ham

The two clubs held extensive talks at the start of this year when a deal was hashed out for Lucas Paqueta. The player and his agent pushed for a return to Brazil, and a £35.5m fee was eventually agreed.

It means that if Flamengo do make an approach for Castellanos over the coming weeks, the two parties will have already established a good rapport that would probably allow negotiations to run smoothly.

Castellanos’s record since arriving in England

5 goals in 20 appearances isn’t exactly a great return from the 27-year-old, but there are mitigating factors. He has arrived in a new league and a new country, whilst playing in a struggling team.

Fans would have liked Castellanos to have hit the ground running in terms of goals, but he has (at the very least) given the Irons a focal point up front.

Both the Argentine and fellow January signing Pablo have also contributed with their work rate, allowing the team to play a higher-pressing game.

If Flamengo were to table a bid for Castellanos, though, you would think that the proposal would not be rejected out of hand.

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