Arsenal have made enquiries about Gustavo Varela, the 21-year-old Monza striker who cost around €2m in the summer and already has eight Serie A goals to his name.
According to Calciomercato, the Portuguese forward is shaping up as one of the big names of the January window, with several offers likely to land on Monza’s desk. For now this is interest rather than talks, with no negotiation under way, but it does put the Gunners among the early movers.
It has been quite a rise. Varela scored again in this week’s 4-1 defeat to Napoli, which takes him to eight goals in eight league appearances, and to 10 in all competitions once you add his Coppa Italia brace.
Who is Gustavo Varela?
Born in Lisbon in January 2005, he also holds a Cape Verdean passport through his parents. He came through the PAOK youth system before joining Benfica in 2022, and scored 11 goals in 34 games for their B team in the Portuguese second division.
A loan at Gil Vicente followed last season, bringing six goals in 32 appearances as they finished sixth in the Portuguese league. Monza then signed him permanently on a contract until June 2030. He had three goals in five games for Portugal’s Under-21s when he arrived in Italy.
Why Benfica hold the trump card
Here’s the catch. Benfica have no buy-back clause, but they can match any offer that comes in for him, and they are also due 20% of a future sale. Arsenal could do all the legwork on a deal and still watch his old club step in.
His valuation currently sits at around €15m, which is a lovely return on €2m already, and that figure could easily climb. Monza must also decide whether to cash in during January or keep his goals for the relegation fight.
Inter and Napoli are circling too
The competition in Italy is real. Inter have sent scouts to watch him several times, and new sporting director Dario Baccin saw his brace against Cagliari in person. Napoli are also keen as they look to replace Lorenzo Lucca in January, with Varela seen as a back-up to Hojlund.
Does Gustavo Varela make sense for Arsenal?
As a back-up, yes. We expect Viktor Gyokeres to get the nod over Kai Havertz through the middle in Sunday’s trip to Anfield, and a 21-year-old on the way up might not demand regular first-team football straight away.
The price is the other attraction. €15m is a different world from the £125m figure attached to Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, and like Swedish teenager Oliver Mansson, Varela would be a signing for what’s coming as much as what’s here now.
But it’s too early to get carried away. Monza aren’t one of Italy’s wealthiest clubs, they’ll want a big profit, and a few more goals could turn this into an auction. Keeping an eye on him from afar is the smart move for now. If the bidding stays sensible in January, then it’s worth a proper go.
