Arsenal continues their search for a new striker ahead of the winter transfer window, now setting their sights on Gustavo Varela from Monza. The 21-year-old forward has impressed in Italy, having made an immediate impact and attracted the interest of multiple clubs.
Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his attacking options after the Gunners' failed attempts to secure deals for Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez during the summer.
While Alvarez remains a potential target, Atletico Madrid seem reluctant to let the Argentine go.
This has led the North London club to consider alternative candidates.
One of those is Varela, who made the switch to Monza from Benfica in the summer for a fee of €2.5 million.
His start to life in Italy has been nothing short of impressive.
The forward has netted seven goals in eight league matches, currently leading the Serie A scoring charts.
His form has also piqued the interest of Napoli, who are monitoring the situation closely.
Benfica, his former club, has retained an interest in the player as well.
In selling Varela, the Lisbon side secured the right to match any future offers for the player.
Additionally, Benfica stands to gain 20% of any profit Monza makes on future sales of the striker.
Varela's contract runs until 2030, and following his strong start, his valuation has already increased significantly.
What was a €2.5 million transaction in the summer could now see his price tag soar to at least €10 million.
For Arsenal, this transfer would represent a more financially sensible option compared to pursuing Alvarez or another established striker of top quality.
Currently, there has been no indication of formal negotiations or an official bid for Varela from the Gunners as they continue to observe his progress.
