Santiago Castro
Bologna’s Santiago Castro has established himself as a proven Serie A goalscorer over the past two seasons. West Ham and Aston Villa have now been given an opportunity to sign him.
Previously, Sport Witness covered the Villans’ interest, with Unai Emery’s side having kept a close eye on the striker for a while.
TuttoSport also claimed back in 2025 that West Ham actively scouted the Argentine, who has scored 11 times in all competitions this season. He has also racked up four assists on the way.
The player’s situation is attracting attention once again. He could now be moving to the Premier League in the summer.
Two obstacles for Italian clubs
Calciomercato IT report that Castro’s goal and assist against Roma in the Europa League has caught the attention of AC Milan. The Rossoneri have previously scouted him but he can now emerge as a summer target. This isn’t the first time big Italian interest has grown in the 21-year-old.
There are two obstacles that hinder him from potentially moving to another Serie A club.
The first is obviously the price tag, with Bologna likely to demand €40m for his sale. Then there is competition from Premier League sides – West Ham and Aston Villa, that can prove to be a major threat.
As a result, the Premier League is Castro’s ‘most likely destination’, with several teams keen on him.
Move can suit Aston Villa and West Ham
Castro has repeatedly been compared to Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez. That isn’t because of their nationality but because of their smaller frame, ability to bounce off defenders and play multiple roles in attack.
The Bologna player has a nose for goal but also likes to take on defenders. One thing he lacks is consistency and that has held him back since last season.
Skillset wise, he would add a lot to West Ham and Aston Villa. Unai Emery – specifically, prefers forwards who attack spaces and aren’t just target-men. Castro fits the bill and can mature into a star.
🇪🇸 Aston Villa to play friendly against La Liga club on Friday
✈️ Part of training trip to Spain for those not involved in international duty this monthhttps://t.co/kx25Y4mLvL #avfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 23, 2026