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Roma targets Santiago Castro (Bologna) for attack: Dovbyk
Leagues 27 July 2026

Roma targets Santiago Castro (Bologna) for attack: Dovbyk

Roma are considering Santiago Castro (Bologna) for the striker. Bologna asks for approximately 40 million euros; Dovbyk can serve as a medium of exchange. Nicolò Tresoldi remains an alternative, but Club Brugge is holding on to around 50 million euros.

Roma targets Santiago Castro (Bologna) for attack: Dovbyk

According to Tuttomercatoweb.

Background

Santiago Castro, currently playing for Bologna, has proven himself in Serie A with his performances. The 22-year-old Argentinian striker is seen as a player with a lot of growth potential, which makes him attractive for AS Roma in their search for attacking reinforcement.

Why this matters

AS Roma's search for a new striker is crucial to their Serie A ambitions. With the need to strengthen the squad ahead of a busy schedule, Santiago Castro could be a valuable asset. His technical skills and flexibility make him an attractive option for coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Key points

  • Roma targets Santiago Castro (Bologna) for attack: Dovbyk.
  • Roma are considering Santiago Castro (Bologna) for the striker.
  • Roma, per l'attacco spunta anche Castro del Bologna: Dovbyk può essere la carta.

AS Roma continues to work on the desired offensive reinforcement for coach Gian Piero Gasperini. According to Italian reports, Bologna's Santiago Castro is emphatically in the picture to give the striker position extra depth. The club management wants to make the selection both broader and more versatile in order to better support the intended double program, and sees a young striker with growth potential as the ideal addition.

Castro's name has been gaining weight in recent hours, writes Corriere dello Sport. The Argentinian centre-forward, who will turn 22 in September, fits exactly into the picture outlined by Roma with his profile: technically skilled, energetic in pressure and capable of performing in multiple roles up front. After two and a half seasons in Serie A, he has proven that he has personality and tactical flexibility, qualities that are highly regarded by the staff.

However, Bologna has a high asking price: the price tag is reportedly around 40 million euros. To reduce that sum, Roma is looking at the possibility of including Dovbyk in the deal in return. Such a construction can speed up negotiations, provided Bologna is receptive to an exchange component and the valuations for both players are close.

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The sporting need for an extra striker is obvious. Roma is looking for a young attacker who can alternate with Donyell Malen and play alongside him in a two-striker system. This gives Gasperini more variation in the vanguard: a deep striker who looks for depth or someone who can collapse and create space for Malen. Castro's mix of running ability, work ethic and finishing fits in with this.

Castro is not the only avenue. Roma has also been keeping an eye on Nicolò Tresoldi since the start of the market. The negotiations are more difficult there: Club Brugge would want approximately 50 million euros and is not yet inclined to compromise. That price level makes him a more complex target, causing the focus to shift more towards Bologna and Castro.

In addition to the search for a strikerRoma is also working on strengthening the left side of the three quarters, to broaden the creative options behind the vanguard. But the priority remains an attacker who can compete directly and is complementary to Malen. Whether it will be Castro - possibly with Dovbyk as a bargaining chip - or Tresoldi, the club wants to speed up to offer Gasperini his desired variants at the front in time.

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What's happening now

Roma are expected to continue negotiating with Bologna over Castro's transfer, with Dovbyk possibly offered as a bargaining chip. This could speed up negotiations, provided Bologna is open to such a construction. The club also has other options, such as Nicolò Tresoldi, but the focus is currently on Castro.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reason for Roma's interest in Santiago Castro?

Roma wants to make the selection broader and more versatile to better deal with the double program and sees Castro as a young striker with growth potential.

Who has confirmed interest in Santiago Castro?

Roma's interest in Santiago Castro has been confirmed by Italian reporting, including Corriere dello Sport.

Why is now the right time for Roma to approach Santiago Castro?

Roma has a sporting need for an extra striker and is looking for an attacker who can alternate with Donyell Malen in a two-striker system.

What changes are Roma considering in the deal for Santiago Castro?

Roma is considering including Dovbyk as a bargaining chip in the deal to reduce Bologna's asking price, which is around 40 million euros.

What are the qualities of Santiago Castro that appeal to Roma?

Castro is seen as technically skilled, energetic in pressure and deployable in multiple roles up front, with proven personality and tactical flexibility.

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