Castro completes Romas Argentine attack as Dovbyk joins Bologna on loan

Roma have signed Argentine forward Santiago Castro from Bologna in a deal reported to be worth €35m, while sending Artem Dovbyk to the Emilia-Romagna club on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old Castro has agreed a contract with Roma until 2031 and will wear the number 9 shirt for the Giallorossi. According to reports, the transfer fee paid to Bologna is €35m.

His arrival means Roma can now field a fully Argentine attacking trio, with Castro joining compatriots Matias Soule and Paulo Dybala in the capital club’s forward line.

Castro moves to Rome after two seasons with Bologna, where he scored 22 goals in 105 appearances following his transfer from Velez Sarsfield in Argentina.

The striker played a key role in Bologna’s Coppa Italia triumph in the season before last, helping the club lift the trophy with victory over Milan in the final.

Last season, Castro was directly involved in 10 goals in 35 matches for the Rossoblu, scoring seven times and providing three assists.

His signing is Roma’s third piece of incoming business of the summer. The club have already made Donyell Malen’s move permanent by activating their purchase option from Aston Villa, and have also added Daniele Galardi from Hellas Verona.

Dovbyk moves the other way

Bologna, meanwhile, have filled the gap in attack by bringing in Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk from Roma on loan for the coming season.

The Serie A club announced that Dovbyk will join on a one-year loan deal, with Bologna holding an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the campaign.

Reports in Italy say Bologna will pay €3m to secure the loan from Roma.

Dovbyk enjoyed a prolific first year in Rome, scoring 17 goals in his debut season with the Giallorossi. However, injuries disrupted his second campaign, preventing him from matching that goal return.

Before moving to Italy, Dovbyk had underlined his reputation as a top-level goalscorer in Spain. He finished as La Liga’s leading scorer in 2023-24, winning the Pichichi award after hitting 24 goals for Girona.

The two deals mean Roma reshape their forward options with the addition of a young Argentine number 9, while Bologna respond by recruiting a proven international striker with a strong scoring record in both Spain and Italy.