West Ham United have been thrown in alongside seven-time European champions AC Milan amid the race to sign Bologna striker Santiago Castro this summer.
The latest reports coming out of Italy, meanwhile, appear to suggest that the London Stadium may be a more likely destination than the San Siro.
Scorer of eleven goals in all competitions this season for the Rossoblu, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have allegedly ‘knocked on the door’ at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara [Tuttosport].
Santiago Castro has been called ‘Carlos Tevez 2.0’! 🇦🇷
How important is a NEW STRIKER this summer?
Santiago Castro has been likened to a young Carlos Tevez, while further comparisons have also been drawn with fellow Argentines Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero.
Now, Calciomercato believe that West Ham may have an advantage over even the biggest clubs in Italian football.
Santiago Castro Premier League switch talked up amid West Ham United links
The publication writes that ‘the Premier League currently appears to be the most likely destination’ for the Argentina Under-20 international.
Even though Champions League qualification is within reach for a Rossoneri side revitalised by the appointment of serial Serie A winner Massimiliano Allegri, Calciomercato state that Bologna’s £35 million price-tag is likely to be a little rich for Milan’s blood.
And while West Ham recorded an annual loss of over £100 million recently, the financial might of the Premier League may ensure that even a striker as highly-regarded as Castro remains within their grasp. That is, of course, presuming the Hammers are still a Premier League side when the transfer window opens this summer.
Further claims put forth by Corriere dello Sport state that Bologna hope to keep Castro until 2027, putting another striker on the market instead in Thijs Dallinga. However, an offer of £35 million may prove too good to turn down.
The reigning Coppa Italia champions have sold Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Zirkzee and Dan Ndoye to Premier League clubs for similar fees in recent transfer windows.
The jury is out on Hammers duo Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe
Ally gets it 😎 Where should Pablo Felipe play for West Ham – as a No.9 or a No.10?
Interestingly, a former Bologna forward was linked with a move to the Hammers a few months back, although Manchester United opted to keep Zirkzee as back-up to Benjamin Sesko. The seldom-seen Dutchman is likely to be available in the summer, though West Ham’s interest appears to have waned since.
Instead, West Ham are targeting Armando Gonzalez of Chivas, per reports out of Mexico, alongside Castro.
Taty Castellanos’ influence appears to be deflating following a promising start. Pablo Felipe is yet to score under Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, across nine games in both the Premier League and the FA Cup.
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