Everton have expressed strong interest in signing Argentine centre-forward Santiago Castro from Bologna this summer, according to Corriere di Bologna via Sport Witness.
The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in Italian football since making the move to Europe.
Castro made his senior debut at just 16 years old in an Argentine Primera División match against Atlético Tucumán on August 3, 2021, representing Velez Sarsfield.
He went on to make 64 more appearances for the 11-time Argentine champions before earning his move to European football in January 2024.
Castro signed for Bologna and has since enjoyed a rapid rise at the club, contributing to a genuinely significant period in the Italian side’s history.
He was part of the squad that ended Bologna’s 51-year trophy drought, with the club defeating AC Milan 1-0 in the 2025 Coppa Italia final.
Castro also featured in Vincenzo Italiano’s side that reached last season’s UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Aston Villa.
Everton are now reportedly monitoring the Argentine as a potential option to strengthen their attack ahead of the new campaign.
Portuguese striker Beto, whose contract expires next summer, faces an uncertain future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, which has accelerated the club’s search for reinforcements.
Bologna’s failure to qualify for European competition this summer is said to have made them open to selling several players, with Castro among those available.
The Italian club have reportedly placed a £33m valuation on the forward, with Everton said to be showing stronger interest than Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.
Castro recorded nine Serie A goal contributions last season, just one fewer than the ten managed by Beto during the same period.
The statistical comparison between the two forwards is notably close, with Castro averaging 2.40 shots per 90 minutes and Beto recording 2.57.
While signing Castro might represent more of a like-for-like replacement than a major upgrade, his age and long-term potential make him an attractive prospect for the Merseyside club.