Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Bologna youngster Santiago Castro in the near future.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign for the Champions League-competing Italians, who currently sit 13th in the Serie A standings.
Castro has made seven appearances in the top flight so far, cementing himself as a first-choice starter in attack for Bologna with three goals and one assist.
The striker earned a move from Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield in January after making his senior breakthrough in South America, appearing on 65 occasions across all competitions.
Only turning 20 last month, Castro possesses relative international pedigree, having represented Argentina Under-23s seven times, finding the net once.
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Arsenal, Chelsea among clubs keen on Castro?
According to CaughtOffside, there could be a hotly-contested transfer battle for the services of Bologna starlet Castro during the calendar year of 2025.
The report claims that Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea are both in the process of scouting and monitoring the Italy-based attacker.
It remains to be seen whether either the Gunners or the Blues will ramp up their interest in Castro by way of an official approach during the January transfer window.
As well as the two capital clubs, it is believed that fellow top-flight contenders Nottingham Forest, Everton and Aston Villa are also keeping tabs on the Argentine.
After his three-game scoring run in Serie A came to an end against Parma on October 6, Castro will be looking to get back onto the scoresheet as Bologna face Genoa on Saturday afternoon.
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Which team would be best for Castro?
Despite his excellent start to the campaign in Italy, it is hard to imagine Castro earning regular first-team minutes at either Chelsea or Arsenal if he were to move to the English capital in 2025.
That being said, at the age of 20, the attacker certainly has time to develop into a future star at either Stamford Bridge or the Emirates.
Fighting closer to the bottom of the Premier League, Nottingham Forest and Everton are more likely to view Castro as a first-choice option in the present moment.
