Everton have now added Bologna star Santiago Castro to the shortlist of striker options.
The Toffees first became aware of the Argentine back in October 2024, as Italian news outlet Corriere dello Sport claimed Everton were watching Castro after his bright start to life in Serie A – following a €12m (£10.4m) move from Velez Sarsfield in January 2024.
Now, a new story from TEAMtalk states Everton have added the South American to the shortlist as David Moyes targets a new striker this summer, amid doubts over Thierno Barry at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
With that in mind, let us have a closer look at who Castro really is.
Surely everyone is Moyes in now? 🤔
David Moyes.
Everton could sign the new Sergio Aguero in Bologna wonderkid Santiago Castro
Even at the age of just 21, the Buenos Aires-born forward looks to be the real deal.
Castro can already boast some notable moments for Bologna, netting a goal and also providing an assist as Roma were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League at the Round of 16 stage earlier in March.
The Bologna No.9 can also boast a goal against Serie A leaders Inter Milan at the San Siro this season.
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Ben Mattinson – a scout for Como – has even compared Castro to other great Argentinian strikers such as the likes of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez.
Bologna have done it again with Santiago Castro. Absolute steal last summer and you know he’ll go for a nice profit soon.
Reminds me of the Aguero/Tevez/Lautaro types of Argentinian 9’s. Small, powerful, physical, ball-striker, aerially strong, also has a good weight of pass. https://t.co/BOGrgWp1Gz pic.twitter.com/05bxHmORv8
— Ben Mattinson (@Ben_Mattinson_) December 7, 2024
View Tweet
The respected football scout wrote on X (previously known as Twitter): “Bologna have done it again with Santiago Castro. Absolute steal last summer and you know he’ll go for a nice profit soon.
“Reminds me of the Aguero/Tevez/Lautaro types of Argentinian 9’s. Small, powerful, physical, ball-striker, aerially strong, also has a good weight of pass.”
This move may well be quite expensive for Everton, though. Castro is contracted to Bologna until July 2028, and Italian news outlet Tuttosport say it would take a bid of at least £34.6m to bring the Serie A side to the negotiating table.
However, if Everton receive a respectable bid for the £27m man Barry – who was booed during the win over Chelsea before heading straight down the tunnel – a deal could become easier to finance for The Friedkin Group.
Everton also have Beto to think about. Despite his resurgence in form across recent weeks, the Guinea-Bissau international will only have 12 months left on his contract at the end of the season.
Should Everton actually be getting Beto tied down to a new contract? 🤔
He'll only have a year left this summer…
A custom graphic showing a quote from Beto after Everton's win over Chelsea.
Full name: Santiago Tomas Castro
Age: 21
Date of birth: 18th September 2004
Height: 1.82m (6ft)
Nationality: Argentina
Place of birth: Buenos Aires
Club: Bologna
Position: Striker
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