Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17225601be) Gustavo Varela celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between AC Monza and Cagliari Calcio at the Brianteo stadium in Monza, Italy, on October 19, 2026. AC Monza v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A 2026/27, Italy - 19 Oct 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17225601be) Gustavo Varela celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between AC Monza and Cagliari Calcio at the Brianteo stadium in Monza, Italy, on October 19, 2026. AC Monza v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A 2026/27, Italy - 19 Oct 2026
Arsenal and Napoli are interested in the impressive young Monza striker Gustavo Varela, according to reports in Italy.
Monza won promotion to Serie A last season and snapped up the 21-year-old from Benfica over the summer.
Things have started brilliantly for the Portugal Under-21 international in Italy, who has rapidly settled in to his new surroundings.
Varela has scored six goals in his first six Serie A games and eight in his first seven appearances across all competitions.
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In a rousing 4-0 win over Cagliari on Monday, Varela scored twice and provided an assist for on-loan Southampton winger Jay Robinson.
Monza are managed by former Saints boss Ivan Juric, who has brought in the England Under-19 winger on a short-term deal.
It is Varela’s performances that have caught the eye back in England, though, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Arsenal are tracking the striker.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17225601ap) Gustavo Varela celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between AC Monza and Cagliari Calcio at the Brianteo stadium in Monza, Italy, on October 19, 2026. AC Monza v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A 2026/27, Italy - 19 Oct 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17225601ap) Gustavo Varela celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between AC Monza and Cagliari Calcio at the Brianteo stadium in Monza, Italy, on October 19, 2026. AC Monza v Cagliari Calcio - Serie A 2026/27, Italy - 19 Oct 2026
There is likely to be plenty of competition for his signature in 2027, though, with the report stating that Napoli hold serious interest in the forward.
They are not along in Italy, though, with ‘all of Serie A’s top sides keeping tabs’ on Varela.
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Reports in Portugal suggest they may be beaten to the punch by the striker’s former club, though, as Benfica want to re-sign the youngster.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Domenico Cippitelli/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17210770x) Gustavo Varela of A.C. Monza celebrates after scoring a goal that was subsequently disallowed for offside during the Serie A match between S.S. Lazio and A.C. Monza at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, on October 11, 2026. SS Lazio v AC Monza - Serie A 2026/27, Rome, Italy - 11 Oct 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Domenico Cippitelli/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17210770x) Gustavo Varela of A.C. Monza celebrates after scoring a goal that was subsequently disallowed for offside during the Serie A match between S.S. Lazio and A.C. Monza at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy, on October 11, 2026. SS Lazio v AC Monza - Serie A 2026/27, Rome, Italy - 11 Oct 2026
NOW report, Portuguese outlet Record, that Benfica will be able to bring Varela back to the club for just 9.5 million euros (£7.96m).
It seems a bargain, but Monza only paid 2.5 million (£2.1m) for him over the summer, with a deal being agreed in late July.
The buy-back clause can be triggered at the end of the season, while Benfica also have a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the contract, according to the report in Portugal.
GIRONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 01: Arsenal FC Head Coach Mikel Arteta looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Girona FC and Arsenal FC at Montilivi Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
GIRONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 01: Arsenal FC Head Coach Mikel Arteta looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Girona FC and Arsenal FC at Montilivi Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)