Castellanos to attract interest across Europe after 4-goal haul v Real Madrid

Valentin Castellanos is likely to attract interest from across Europe this summer after scoring four against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Argentine starred in Girona’s 4-2 win over the LaLiga champions, taking his tally to 25 goals in the past 12 months.

Castellanos, valued at just over £13million, is on loan at Girona from City Football Group sister club New York City.

The 24-year-old has plied his trade with Uruguayan side Atletico Torque, also part of the CFG stable of clubs, and his future beyond this season is unclear.

Castellanos became the first player to score four against Real since Esteban Echevarria for Real Oviedo in 1947 and the first in any competition since Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski a decade ago.

Pep Guardiola talked up the prospect of Castellanos thriving in Europe in 2021, before Girona took him on loan last summer.

‘I think he is a guy who will do the next step in Europe,’ the Manchester City boss said.

‘What I saw when the scouting department talked to me, I know he's a quality player and ready to make the next step to Europe and we will see where.’