adminWolves Urged to Go All In for £25m Striker Taty Castellanos as Nuno’s Forest Looms in Transfer Battle
Wolverhampton Wanderers are entering a critical summer transfer window, and manager Vitor Pereira knows that significant reinforcements are needed if the club are to make progress next season. With Matheus Cunha having completed his high-profile move to Manchester United, Wolves must act fast to fill the void left by one of their most dynamic attacking threats.
The departure of Cunha, who netted 17 goals during the 2024/25 campaign, leaves a glaring gap in Wolves’ frontline. While Jorgen Strand Larsen remains a key part of Pereira’s plans and impressed with 15 goals last season, the big Norwegian striker cannot shoulder the attacking burden alone. Wolves need another forward of real pedigree—and that’s where Lazio’s Taty Castellanos enters the picture.
The Argentine striker, currently plying his trade in Serie A, has been identified as a leading transfer target for Wolves this summer. And with a £25 million price tag now set by Lazio, the chase for Castellanos is heating up—with competition from former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo and his Nottingham Forest side adding urgency to the situation.
Taty Castellanos: A Versatile and Productive Forward
Valentín “Taty” Castellanos enjoyed a solid campaign with Lazio in the 2024/25 season, finishing with 14 goals and eight assists across 40 appearances in all competitions. Those numbers reflect his ability not only to score goals but also to create for his teammates—an asset that would be invaluable to a Wolves team in need of added creativity and finishing prowess.
The 26-year-old is not just a traditional centre-forward. His ability to drop deeper, link play, and operate as a second striker or even a number 10 adds a layer of tactical flexibility that Vitor Pereira will surely value. In a Wolves system that needs more fluid movement and technical quality in the final third, Castellanos would offer a compelling solution.
His movement off the ball, pressing intensity, and willingness to run the channels make him a perfect fit for the high-intensity brand of football Pereira wants to instil at Molineux. Crucially, he has the kind of South American flair and tenacity that Wolves supporters have grown to admire in recent signings like Joao Gomes and Andre.
Transfer Race Heats Up – Wolves vs Nuno’s Forest
However, Wolves are not alone in their pursuit. Castellanos is attracting interest from several Premier League sides, including Everton and West Ham United. Most notably, Nottingham Forest, led by former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, are keen on bringing the Argentine striker to the City Ground.
Nuno’s interest adds an intriguing subplot to this transfer saga. The Portuguese coach, still well-regarded by many Wolves fans after his successful stint at Molineux, is reportedly eager to bolster Forest’s attacking line ahead of a campaign that could include European football. That added pull could give Forest a slight edge in negotiations—at least on paper.
But Wolves should not be discouraged. While Forest may be able to offer continental competition, Wolves can offer something equally valuable to a player like Castellanos: a starring role. With Cunha gone and a significant portion of the club’s transfer budget freed up, Wolves could offer the Argentine the chance to become their main man up front, leading the line in the Premier League and forming a dynamic partnership with Strand Larsen.
Financial Firepower Available After Cunha and Ait-Nouri Sales
The club’s ability to fund a move for Castellanos has also received a boost thanks to outgoing transfers. Matheus Cunha’s departure to Manchester United fetched a substantial £62.5 million fee—reportedly to be paid in instalments—and Wolves are also expected to receive around £33.7 million from Manchester City for Rayan Ait-Nouri.
With over £90 million potentially coming into the club, there is scope to reinvest, and spending around £25 million on a striker of Castellanos’ calibre would be a sensible and strategic use of those funds. Given the importance of replacing Cunha adequately, Wolves cannot afford to cut corners in their pursuit of attacking quality.
And they won’t be short of persuasive power either. Jorge Mendes, the super-agent with deep ties to Wolves and a proven track record of engineering top-class signings, could play a pivotal role in bringing Castellanos to the West Midlands.
Molineux an Ideal Destination for South American Talent
Wolves have become a well-known landing spot for South American players looking to make a mark in Europe’s top leagues. The likes of Joao Gomes, Andre, and even Matheus Cunha himself before his big-money move have all used Molineux as a platform to showcase their talents.
That reputation could work in Wolves’ favour in the battle for Castellanos’ signature. The Argentine will likely weigh up not only the money and footballing project on offer but also the opportunity to play in a system and environment that suits his style. Under Vitor Pereira, Wolves are aiming to build a technically sound, attack-minded side with more flair and precision—and Castellanos fits that vision perfectly.
Moreover, Wolves fans are known for backing players who give their all for the badge. Castellanos, with his aggressive pressing and goal-hungry instincts, has all the tools to become a fan favourite. He’d be arriving at a club with a clear plan, a passionate fanbase, and a growing reputation for developing international talent.
Wolves Must Move Decisively
With Lazio setting a clear price tag of €30 million (£25 million), the path to a deal is straightforward if Wolves act quickly. Delaying too long could allow rivals like Forest or West Ham to steal a march, especially with Castellanos’ stock likely to rise as pre-season approaches.
This is not a transfer Wolves can afford to lose. The departure of Matheus Cunha has left a gap that cannot be filled with internal options alone. While Jorgen Strand Larsen showed plenty of promise last season, the burden of leading the line for a full Premier League campaign is a lot to ask of a single player.
Bringing in Castellanos would not only increase Wolves’ goal threat but also add competition, depth, and tactical flexibility to Pereira’s forward line. It would be a statement of ambition from a club determined to climb back up the Premier League table and potentially push for European qualification in the seasons to come.
Final Thoughts
Wolves are at a crossroads this summer. The departure of key players, a new manager at the helm, and an influx of transfer funds provide a rare opportunity to reset and rebuild.
Taty Castellanos is the kind of signing that could define that rebuild. A £25 million investment in a 26-year-old with proven quality in both Europe and South America is exactly the sort of smart, strategic business that could transform the club’s fortunes.
But with strong competition and a narrow window of opportunity, the message is clear: Wolves must act fast, and they must act boldly. If they want Castellanos, they need to go all in—and beat Nuno to the punch.
Godwin Obaje
