West Ham United will reportedly compete with 2023/24 Serie A winners Inter Milan to sign 20-year-old Argentine striker Santiago Castro from Bologna this summer.
According to a report by Tuttosport, as relayed by FC Inter News, Santiago Castro is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Bologna striker is also a target for Inter Milan heading into the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the Rossoblu will demand around €25-30 million to part ways with the Argentine striker.
Who is Santiago Castro?
Santiago Castro has established himself as one of the best young prospects in Serie A since joining Bologna from Velez Sarsfield in January 2024. The South American attacker has come leaps and bounds in the last 12 months, becoming a mainstay in the final third for the Rossoblu.
The 20-year-old has been excellent thus far this season, with his output improving with each passing month. Castro has contributed to 17 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions, finding the back of the net nine times and providing eight assists.
Meanwhile, Castro’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Premier League bigwigs, in particular, have shown interest in the Argentine youth international. West Ham United and Inter Milan are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.
Summer move beckoning?
West Ham United’s interest in Santiago Castro is understandable. The Hammers are scouring the market for a striker heading into the summer transfer, as Evan Ferguson will likely return to Brighton & Hove Albion after the 2024/25 season ends. So, several candidates, including Jonathan David, are on West Ham’s radar, with Castro also a viable target for the East London outfit.
As for Inter Milan, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram are pivotal figures for the Nerazzurri. However, Joaquin Correa and Marko Arnautovic will likely depart from San Siro in the summer transfer window, while Mehdi Taremi is in the twilight of his career. So, Castro is an option worth considering for the 2023/24 Serie A winners.
Meanwhile, Bologna will demand around €25-30 million to part ways with the 20-year-old Argentine striker in the summer transfer window. The Serie A club’s asking price is reasonable, and it will not be surprising to see West Ham and Inter Milan meeting Bologna’s valuation.
