Castro shows positive signs as Zirkzee’s replacement at Bologna | OneFootball

Bologna striker Santiago Castro scored four goals in 11 Serie A appearances this season, more than Joshua Zirkzee in the same period of 2023-24.

Zirkzee joined Manchester United from Bologna last summer in a deal exceeding €50m. The Dutch forward had scored 11 goals in 34 Serie A matches, contributing to Bologna’s first Champions League qualification in over 60 years, but the Rossoblu seem to have already found a valuable replacement in Argentinean talent Castro.

Castro shows positive signs as Zirkzee’s replacement at Bologna

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee warms up ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in London, Britain, 21 September 2024. EPA-EFE/DAVID CLIFF EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/player publications.

The 20-year-old moved to the Dall’Ara in January 2024, so he shared the Rossoblu dressing room with Zirkzee in the second part of the last season.

Despite the summer acquisition of another Dutch striker, Thijs Dallinga, this summer, Castro has become a regular starter at Bologna under new coach Vincenzo Italiano.

Castro has four goals in 11 Serie A appearances with Bologna, who have a game in hand after their home game with Milan was postponed in October due to adverse weather conditions.

Zirkzee had scored three goals in the opening 11 Serie A matches last term but found the net on Matchdays 12 and 13 against Fiorentina and Torino, respectively.

Castro’s contract with Bologna expires in June 2028.