West Ham United moved to strengthen their attack during the January window, but their striker issues have not entirely been resolved.
Taty Castellanos has made a reasonable impact since arriving from Lazio, yet his return of three goals in 14 appearances leaves room for improvement.
Meanwhile, Pablo Felipe has struggled with injuries and is still waiting to open his account for the club.
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With goals still in short supply, it now appears the Hammers are preparing to dip back into the transfer market in search of another forward this summer — although they won’t have a clear path to their target.
West Ham to Battle Everton for Castro
Santiago Castro. (Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Santiago Castro. (Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
West Ham are expected to rival Everton for the signing of Bologna striker Santiago Castro.
According to TEAMtalk, the Argentine forward is attracting strong interest from multiple clubs, with both Premier League sides keen to strengthen their attacking options. A fee in the region of €40 million has been mentioned, highlighting Bologna’s strong negotiating position.
AC Milan are also believed to be monitoring the situation, meaning competition for Castro’s signature is likely to be fierce.
While a move to England could appeal to the player, West Ham’s ongoing relegation battle may put them at a disadvantage compared to their rivals.
Everton, in particular, could hold an edge if they secure European qualification, making them a more attractive destination. For now, no formal talks have taken place, with interested clubs expected to continue tracking Castro’s progress before making a move in the summer window.
Castro Enjoying Solid Season
Castro has continued to develop into a reliable attacking option during his time in Serie A.
After scoring eight league goals last season, he has followed that up with another seven this campaign, showing steady progress in one of Europe’s top leagues. Across all competitions, he has registered 15 goal contributions, underlining his growing influence in Bologna’s attack.
Described as a “top player” by manager Vincenzo Italiano, the 20-year-old is seen as a forward with significant potential. With his contract running until 2030, Bologna are under no pressure to sell and are expected to demand a sizeable fee if they are to part ways with one of their most promising talents.
West Ham’s search for a consistent goalscorer looks set to continue into the summer, and Castro has emerged as a serious target.
However, with Everton and AC Milan also in the race — and uncertainty surrounding West Ham’s league status — securing his signature will be far from straightforward. If the Hammers are to win the battle, they may need both Premier League survival and a convincing project to lure the talented Argentine to London.