Arsenal Eye Gustavo Varela as Gyokeres Insurance Policy

Gustavo Varela has forced his way onto Arsenal‘s radar after a blistering opening to his Serie A career, with the Gunners reportedly eyeing the forward as a contingency plan should Viktor Gyokeres leave the club. Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, claims Mikel Arteta’s recruitment team is tracking the 21-year-old striker ahead of the January window as a possible addition to the attacking ranks.

Varela arrived at AC Monza from Benfica over the summer in a deal worth a reported €2 million. He had made just one senior appearance for the Portuguese giants during the 2023/24 season before the move. Last term he was sent out on loan to Gil Vicente, where he scored seven goals across 33 appearances in all competitions, a solid return that hinted at the goalscoring instincts now on full display in Italy.

Monza boss Ivan Juric deserves credit for unlocking Varela’s output. The young forward has netted six goals in six Serie A matches this season and added two more in the Coppa Italia, giving him eight goals from seven official outings. That strike rate has turned heads across Europe in a remarkably short span.

Competition Heats Up for Varela’s Signature

Arsenal’s pursuit is reportedly tied directly to Gyokeres’s situation at the Emirates. Should the Swedish striker depart, Varela would be considered a replacement option, though the Gunners face stiff competition. Napoli and Benfica are both credited with interest in the forward, and the Lisbon club retains a buy-back clause that would allow them to re-sign him if his form keeps trending upward.

Arteta’s side could move for a new striker in January if the right profile emerges on the market. Several high-profile names have circulated in media reports, and Arsenal have also been linked with Bournemouth forward Evanilson as an alternative target.

Left Wing Remains the Bigger Priority

Reports suggest a left winger sits higher on Arsenal’s January shopping list than a new striker, though no specific names have been attached to that role yet. If the Gyokeres exit rumours gain traction, bringing in another forward would make tactical sense for Arteta’s squad depth.

Arteta may still resist rushing into a striker signing purely on the back of Varela’s hot streak. Six goals in six league games is eye-catching, but it remains a small sample size against the backdrop of a full season.

No formal offer or negotiation has been reported at this stage. Arsenal appear content to monitor Varela’s progress from a distance while Napoli and Benfica push their own interest. Continued production under Juric will only drive his valuation higher and widen the list of suitors chasing his signature.

Stay with TipsGG for the latest on Arsenal’s striker search and every twist in the January transfer saga.

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