Castro on rejecting Premier League bid, Inter idols, and Bologna stay | OneFootball

Bologna’s Santiago Castro admitted to idolizing Inter captain Lautaro Martínez and Nerazzurri legend Diego Milito but views speculation about interest from the Serie A giants purely as ‘motivation, also emphasising that he is ‘very happy’ at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

The 20-year-old is already on the radar of several European clubs, including Inter, after recording six goals and five assists in 24 appearances during his second Serie A season.

LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Santiago Pierotti of Lecce competes for the ball with Santiago Castro of Bologna during the Serie A match between Lecce and Bologna at Stadio Via del Mare on February 09, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

The Rossoblù signed him from Vélez Sarsfield in January 2024, with Castro rejecting offers from a Premier League club and two other Serie A sides to join Bologna—repaying the club’s efforts to convince him during negotiations.

Castro: Inter’s interest a ‘motivation’, but Bologna ‘wonderful’

“I had several options, including Fiorentina, Genoa, and a Premier League club,” Castro told Il Resto del Carlino in an interview.

“But two things made the difference: the opportunity to play in the Champions League and the way Bologna welcomed me. Di Vaio, Sartori, and Fenucci called me often—not to talk about contracts, but to check how I was doing. That made the difference.”

The striker acknowledged that two of his idols are linked to one of the teams reportedly most interested in him, but Castro insists he only wants to ‘focus on my team’ rather than listening to transfer speculation.

“When I first started following football, [my idol] it was Inter’s Milito,” the Argentinean said.

Santiago Castro of Bologna celebrates with teammate Benjamin Dominguez after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Coppa Italia match between Bologna FC and AC Monza at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 03, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Then Pratto from Vélez, whom I even got to play with. And of course, Lautaro.

“I don’t think about it. I can take it as motivation, sure, but I have to focus only on my team and doing well here. The league table and the Coppa Italia are my only fixed thoughts. I can’t waste energy on anything else.

“I don’t know [if I will stay], in football, you never know. What I do know is that I’m very happy here—with the city, with the club. I like walking around, fans stopping me. Bologna is truly a wonderful environment.”