Everton and Newcastle are interested in New York City FC ace Valentin Castellanos, so how have the last nine to leave the MLS side for Europe fared, including Leeds’ Jack Harrison?

The Pigeons have produced and employed several stars who have moved across the pond since their inception back in 2013. But not all of those to leave Yankee Stadium for a career in Europe have gone on to enjoy the same levels of success they had in the United States.

Frank Lampard and Eddie Howe may hope to see Castellanos join New York City’s success stories this summer. That’s because TuttoMercatoWEB report Everton and Newcastle are interested in buying Castellanos as the Argentine is now exploring ways to leave the Bronx.

Everton and Newcastle interested in Valentin Castellanos of New York City FC

Castellanos moved to America with NYCFC in 2018, after starting his career at Universidad de Chile and a spell with Montevideo City Torque. The 23-year-old has since enjoyed great success in the Big Apple, ending the 2021 MLS term as the league’s top-scorer on 19 goals.

The Argentina U23 international’s efforts continued in the play-offs with a further three as NYCFC won their first MLS Cup. He has remained at the forefront of their attacks this term, too. But Castellanos is now a highly sought-after star and eager to prove himself in Europe.

River Plate have already submitted a €14m (£12m) offer to take the 2025 free agent back to Argentina. But the Pigeons rejected the proposal and could soon receive bids from sides in Europe, with Bologna among his ardent fans through sporting director Riccardo Bigon.

Newcastle and Everton are also interested in signing Castellanos from New York City over the summer. Their positions in any bidding war may also strengthen as Bigon is set to leave Bologna with Giovanni Sartori expected at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium as his replacement.

A move to the Premier League or Serie A would be the 5 ft 10 attacker’s first outside of the Americas. So, with Everton, Newcastle and Bologna interested in signing Castellanos, how have the last nine to leave New York City for Europe gone on to fare across the pond…

Jesus Medina fresh example for Everton and Newcastle amid Castellanos interest

Jesus Medina is a fresh example of a New York City forward moving to Europe for Everton and Newcastle to study amid their interest in Castellanos. The Paraguay international left the MLS franchise this January to join CSKA Moscow following four years in the Big Apple.

Medina had not played outside of Paraguay with Libertad before joining NYCFC in 2018. He went on to play 118 games in America, for 26 goals and 10 assists. But the 25-year-old has so far offered just one single effort and two assists over 12 games since moving to Russia.

Gudmundur Thorarinsson made European return after New York City spell

Gudmundur Thorarinsson made a return to Europe in February after a two-year spell with New York City. The defender has struggled to regain a key place at Aalborg, however, after previous spells in Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden before a 2020 move to America.

Gary Mackay-Steven back in Scotland after MLS spell with NYCFC

Gary Mackay-Steven had a lengthy career in Scotland with Airdrie United, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Celtic before joining New York City in 2019. He only spent two years in MLS before returning to Scotland with Hearts, where the 31-year-old has held a bit-part role.

Over one-and-a-half terms back in the Premiership, the two-cap Scotland international has only started 15 of 27 appearances. He has also scored just twice and assisted five goals.

Joe Scally a success story Everton, Newcastle will hope to repeat with Castellanos

Joe Scally is a success story that Everton and Newcastle would hope to repeat amid their interest in New York City star Castellanos. The USMNT right-back honed his trade in the Pigeons academy before playing seven senior matches and earning a move to Germany.

Borussia Monchengladbach agreed a $2m (£1.5m) deal that can reach $7m (£5.5m) with add-ons in 2019. But the Bundesliga side had to wait until January 2021 for Scally to turn 18 for his arrival. He has since made 33 first-team appearances with Die Fohlen to date.

Cedric Hountondji finding his feet at Clermont Foot after Levski Sofia spell

Cedric Hountondji is now finding his feet at Clermont Foot in Ligue 1 after a spell at Levski Sofia after leaving New York City. He departed the Big Apple in 2019 for the Bulgarian side following just a year in America upon leaving France, having only featured twice for NYCFC.

The defender only made seven outings for Levski Sofia, as well, before returning to France with Clermont Foot four months later. Hountondji is now integral at the Gabriel Montpied Stadium, though, helping to their top-flight promotion last season and avoiding relegation.

Jo Inge Berget struggling at Malmo after European return

Jo Inge Berget added America to a CV featuring spells in Norway, Italy, Wales and Scotland when he joined NYCFC in 2018. But the winger spent just a year in MLS before he re-joined Malmo, where the 31-year-old is now struggling with two goals over 26 games this season.

Eloi Amagat now back in Spain after brief MLS adventure in 2018

Eloi Amagat had spent his entire career in Spain before joining New York City in July 2018. Yet his MLS spell only lasted until January 2019, when the 37-year-old midfielder returned to Spain at UE Olot – a fifth-division side competing in the Tercera Division RFEF Group 5.

Sean Okoli returned to America after testing himself in Europe after NYCFC

Sean Okoli had enjoyed a nomadic career in America before joining New York in 2016. He then left on loan for Swedish side Landskrona in 2018 before joining Norwegian outfit Jerv upon being released. Yet he was released in January, and did not play again that season.

Okoli eventually joined Saalfelden in Austria that July, yet returned to America in February 2020. He only made 21 appearances while in Europe, and did not play at all for Saalfelden.

Jack Harrison the story to inspire Everton, Newcastle amid Castellanos interest

Jack Harrison is the story that could inspire Everton and Newcastle amid their interest in New York City star Castellanos. The winger returned to England in 2018 with Manchester City after proving his potential at Yankee Stadium with 14 goals and 10 assists in 61 games.

He would not play for the Citizens, though, before loan spells at Middlesbrough and Leeds. Harrison eventually completed an £11m permanent move to Elland Road in July 2021 after three seasons on loan. In that time, he proved himself in the Championship and top-flight.

Harrison helped the Whites secure their promotion to the Premier League with six goals and eight assists in 2019/20. He has since struck 16 goals and nine assists in 71 games, and 90min report Everton and Newcastle are now interested in signing Harrison from Leeds.