Gustavo Varela of AC Monza
Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Barcelona have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Monza striker Gustavo Varela after his remarkable start to the Serie A season.
According to SPORT, Barcelona’s recruitment department is following the 21-year-old Portuguese forward, who has scored 11 goals and provided one assist in 10 appearances this season.
At the same time, Arsenal and Napoli are also monitoring his situation, with the growing competition potentially pushing Monza’s asking price towards €40–50 million.
Gustavo Varela’s scoring form attracts Barcelona interest
Varela’s numbers explain why several major clubs have started paying attention.
He has scored in nine of Monza’s first 10 Serie A appearances, establishing himself among the Italian championship’s leading scorers.
Notably, the Portuguese forward joined Monza from Benfica in July 2026, having previously spent a season on loan at the Serie A club.
Gustavo Varela of AC Monza
Gustavo Varela is on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
His development has accelerated considerably since arriving in Italy, with his finishing ability making him one of the unexpected attacking revelations of the campaign.
As a result, Barcelona have now joined Arsenal and Napoli in following his progress.
The Premier League champions were among the first to request information about his contractual situation, while Napoli are also considering the possibility of pursuing him.
Monza demand €50 million for Varela
Monza’s position makes any potential transfer particularly interesting, as the Italian club has him under contract until 2030.
Given his form, they now value him at between €40 million and €50 million, although they have little desire to lose their leading forward.
Gustavo Varela of AC Monza
Arsenal and Napoli also have Varela on their agenda. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Notably, there is no fixed release clause, meaning interested clubs would have to negotiate directly with Monza.
Furthermore, it is also crucial to note that Benfica retained two important protections when sanctioning his departure: 20% of Monza’s future profit from a sale and the right to match an external offer.
Barcelona face competition for emerging striker
For sporting director Deco, Varela is an opportunity to recruit a young centre-forward whose performances are already attracting attention across Europe.
However, the financial demands could prove decisive. With Arsenal and Napoli also monitoring the situation, Monza are in a strong negotiating position.
Lastly, Varela is and will not be the only player Barcelona would be keeping an eye on to reinforce the attacking position, meaning their interest is at a very early stage.