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West Ham have made enquiries for Bologna forward Santiago Castro, according to reports in the Italian media.
Tuttosport claim that both the Hammers and Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest have “already knocked on the door” to register their interest in the Argentinian.
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Juventus are also believed to be keen on Castro, but they have been put off by Bologna’s valuation, which is said to be €40m (£35m).
Tuttosport suggest that the price tag is more realistic for a Premier League club than Juve. Buy a West Ham shirt from the Castore store here.
Castro has been watched by some big teams
In addition to Juventus, both Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly scouted the striker over the past twelve months.
One of the reasons why clubs have not made a concerted effort to sign Castro until now is due to his goal record. Since joining Bologna at the beginning of 2024, he has found the back of the net 22 times in 95 appearances. That means the forward averages a goal every 4.32 games, which isn’t particularly prolific.
However, he is still only 21 years of age, and West Ham may be considering taking a chance on the player in the hope that he does turn into an elite finisher.
A bid from West Ham may only happen under the right conditions
An approach for Castro during the summer transfer window would only be possible if Nuno Espirito Santo’s side save themselves from relegation. There is no guarantee of that happening at the moment.
Raising funds to match Bologna’s asking price may also prove to be a challenge. The Irons will need to balance the books this summer, even if they stay in the top flight, so any formal bid may depend on outgoings.
Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here