EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal target Bologna wonderkid Santiago Castro

Arsenal scouts are closely monitoring Bologna’s talented Argentine forward Santiago Castro as they look to strengthen their attacking options over the coming seasons, FootballTransfers understands.

The 20-year-old has impressed in Serie A since joining Bologna from Velez Sarsfield in January 2024 for approximately €10 million. In the current 2024/25 season, Castro has featured in 26 matches, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.

The youngster has drawn comparisons to compatriot Lautaro Martinez of Inter and earned the nickname ‘Mini Lautaro.’ Arsenal’s scouting department has been impressed by his consistent form, making him a potential target for the Gunners, we are told.

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However, Arsenal are expected to face competition from Premier League rivals such as Newcastle United and Aston Villa, with West Ham United and Serie A champions Inter also monitoring him. Bologna are likely to demand a fee in the region of €25-30 million.

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Beyond his league performances, Castro has been instrumental in Bologna’s cup runs, notably scoring the decisive goal that propelled the club into the Coppa Italia semifinals for the first time in 26 years. His knack for delivering in crucial moments has further increased his appeal.

Arsenal’s strong relationship with Bologna has already proved fruitful. The club successfully completed the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu in 2021, and more recently, Arsenal acquired left-back Riccardo Calafiori in 2024.

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Calafiori has quickly become a valuable addition to the squad, reinforcing the effective working relationship between Arsenal and Bologna, which could give the North London side an edge over Castro’s other suitors.

As Arsenal prepare for the 2025/26 season, adding a versatile and dynamic forward like Castro would further enhance their attacking depth. The coming months will determine the Argentine’s future, with the Gunners and other top clubs likely to intensify their pursuit of this highly-rated talent.