Arsenal Eye Monza's Gustavo Varela After Eight Goals in Seven Games

Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Monza striker Gustavo Varela after the 21-year-old's stunning start to his first Serie A season, according to reports published October 23, 2026. Varela, a Portuguese forward who joined Monza from Benfica for a bargain €2 million in the summer transfer window, has already scored eight goals in seven appearances — six in six Serie A games and two in the Coppa Italia — including a two-goal, one-assist display in Monza's 4–0 win over Cagliari. Monza head coach Ivan Juric praised Varela as having enormous room for improvement in many areas. His contract runs until 2030; however, Benfica retain a 20% profit-sharing clause on any future sale and a right to match future bids, complicating any move. Napoli and Benfica themselves are also tracking Varela's progress. Analysts urge Arsenal to act early before his valuation escalates far above the cut-price fee Monza paid. The Gunners are reportedly seeking cost-effective attacking depth to supplement their frontline as the season progresses.