Aston Villa have reportedly entered a fierce three-way Premier League battle to sign Bologna's highly-rated Argentine striker, Santiago Castro, with scouts from the club recently watching the £44 million-rated forward in Italy.
Premier League Trio Track Argentine Talent
According to reports from Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport, Villa's interest in the 21-year-old is long-standing, with the club having 'followed Castro for the past two years'. However, they now face significant competition from domestic rivals Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, with all three English sides sending scouts to monitor the player's performances in Serie A.
Castro, who is under contract with Bologna until the summer of 2028, enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign, contributing ten goals and eight assists across all competitions. His form has dipped somewhat this season, with five goals so far, but that has not deterred his Premier League suitors.
High Stakes and Hefty Valuation
The race for Castro's signature is set to be expensive. Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb recently indicated his valuation sits between €40 and €50 million (approximately £35-44m). Nottingham Forest were initially linked as they seek firepower to move away from the relegation zone, but the emergence of Villa and Chelsea, both in stronger league positions, intensifies the competition.
In a bid to retain their asset, Bologna are proactively working to secure Castro's future. The club has reportedly begun talks to extend his deal by an additional year and significantly increase his wages to a base of €800,000 (£700,000) per year, plus substantial bonuses.
Villa Ready to Match Wage Demands
Despite Bologna's efforts, the financial power of the Premier League could prove decisive. It is claimed that all three interested English clubs 'won't have an issue' matching the proposed salary offer from the Italian side. The greater challenge may be persuading the player himself to leave his first European club for a new challenge in England.
It remains unclear whether Villa, Chelsea, or Forest will make a formal move during the upcoming January transfer window or wait until the summer, but the scouting activity confirms serious intent. As the 2025/26 season progresses, the pursuit of Santiago Castro is poised to become one of the window's major storylines.
