West Ham have made their position clear over Taty Castellanos after River Plate reportedly made the struggling striker a top priority for the January transfer window.

Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos was expected to take the Championship by storm with West Ham after impressing in the Premier League following his £27m arrival from Lazio in January.

Argentine outlet El Intransigente claims River have made Castellanos their top priority and want to explore an initial loan deal, potentially with an option or obligation to buy.

However, West Ham have no intention of allowing their record signing to leave on a straightforward loan.

Hammers News put the River Plate claims to a leading transfer source inside West Ham, and the response was emphatic.

It was made clear that Castellanos will only be allowed to leave in January if West Ham receive an acceptable permanent offer or, at the very least, a guarantee that a loan will lead to a permanent transfer.

In other words, River Plate cannot simply take Taty on loan and decide at the end of the season whether they want to keep him.

River Plate face major obstacle in January loan pursuit

An option to buy would not provide the certainty West Ham are looking for. The club want money for the striker, either immediately or through a binding commitment to a future transfer.

That is a significant distinction given the type of deal River are reportedly considering.

The Hammers are likely to be looking for another forward in January regardless, although finding someone good enough and willing to play in the Championship is, according to the source, ‘easier said than done’.

There is still hope Scott Parker can get more out of Taty, and the striker has nine games before the January window opens to change the narrative around his West Ham career.

A return to form and a few goals could transform the situation, but the club’s financial position is clear: they are not prepared to let a £27m signing leave without securing a permanent transfer.

Castellanos is under contract until 2030, while West Ham have already demonstrated their willingness to turn down a substantial offer from Everton.

River Plate may see the January window as an opportunity to bring the striker home, but they will have to meet West Ham’s terms if they want to get a deal done.