Aston Villa eye Serie A breakthrough talent to complement Watkins and Duran

Unai Emery's quest to bolster Aston Villa's attacking lineup has led him to 20-year-old Argentine striker Santiago Castro, who has been making waves in Serie A with Bologna. Despite the impressive performances of Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, Emery is eager to add fresh talent to his squad as per Corriere dello Sport.

Since joining Bologna from Velez Sarsfield in January 2024, Castro has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. With three goals in seven league appearances this season, he's drawing comparisons to his fellow countryman Carlos Tevez, thanks to his physical presence and technical prowess. Castro's strengths lie in his ability to run behind defences, excel in aerial duels, and engage in aggressive link-up play, making him a well-rounded striker capable of adapting to various tactical setups.

Premier League interest heats up

Aston Villa are not alone in their pursuit of Castro, with other Premier League clubs, including Everton, Arsenal, and Chelsea, also keeping tabs on the young Argentine. However, Villa and Everton are reportedly leading the chase with the most serious interest.

A January transfer seems unlikely, though, as Bologna are reluctant to let go of their rising star midway through the season, especially after losing Joshua Zirkzee to Manchester United. Castro has become an integral part of Bologna's setup, filling the void left by Zirkzee's departure.

Aston Villa's interest in Castro aligns with their recent transfer strategy under Emery, which focuses on identifying and nurturing young talent. The club's successful acquisition of Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire is a prime example of this approach. If Villa manage to secure Castro's signature, possibly in the summer transfer window, it would provide Emery with an impressive array of attacking options.

The addition of the young Argentine could be another step towards establishing Villa as consistent contenders for European places.

Villa scouts are likely to continue monitoring Castro's performances closely, with his next opportunity to showcase his skills coming this Saturday when Bologna face Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.