Lazio were almost forced to sell Tatty Castellanos to West Ham in January. This deal helped them financially – as covered sports witnessBut it is now seen as a symbol of the failings of Italian football.
The Azzurri would miss another World Cup, creating a unique piece of history. No other World Cup-winning nation before Italy has failed to qualify for three editions of the tournament.
It is clear that a lot of things are wrong with sports in the country. Serie A has come a long way from the days when it was competing to be Europe’s top league, and Premier League clubs easily pick up players.
lazio channel Take a closer look at West Ham’s move for Castellanos, claiming it is an example of how English football has moved beyond Serie A.
Disbelief about Castellanos for West Ham
The outlet says that even though West Ham have placed their confidence in the Argentine, he has been playing in European competitions in Rome. Lazio is not a small club by any means and has played in the Champions League twice since 2020.
This is why the move to the Hammers is seen as a ‘deterioration’ for Castellanos. He believes the attacker deserves better than fighting relegation in London and is capable of playing in the higher reaches.
But due to the nature of Italian football, he proved a convenient signing for West Ham, who spent €30m for the player.
It is also noted that Castellanos’ value has likely increased since leaving Lazio. Even though the Hammers are struggling with the decline, playing in England has helped the Argentine.
Our Opinion: Gulf Clear
Financially, Italian football has been struggling for years. Serie A teams have fewer revenue sources than Premier League teams, as they earn much less from broadcasting deals. The income from stadium revenues is also very low, making it difficult for them to recoup potential capital gains from player sales.
West Ham’s signing of Castellanos is truly emblematic of the problem.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side signed a proven attacker at European level for an affordable fee. Despite being a so-called big club in Italy, Lazio has never paid this.
In fact, Lazio’s seven most expensive arrivals date back more than 20 years Transfer Market. They paid more than €50m for Hernan Crespo in 2020 and they haven’t even got half of that in recent years.
The fact that Castellanos has three goals in all competitions already says a lot about his qualities. Once again, Serie A cannot compete with the finances of the Premier League.
🇧🇷Matthias Martinelli | West Ham need to raise offer by €8m to succeed – Hammers’ first bid rejectedhttps://t.co/unMTxfDYhF #whufc #koi
– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 31 March 2026
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