Arsenal eye Monza striker as potential long term Gyokeres replacement
Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Monza forward Gustavo Varela as a potential long term alternative to Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swede's struggles in front of goal raising questions about his future at the club.
According to Sport Witness, several top European clubs are tracking Varela after a stunning start to life in Serie A. The 21 year old Brazilian joined Monza from Benfica in the summer and has scored eight goals in seven competitive appearances, six of those coming in six league outings.
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Per the report, Arsenal could move for Varela in January, a window in which the club have reportedly opened the door for Gyokeres to leave amid concerns his second season in north London could prove even tougher than his first. The report claims Arsenal view Varela as a long term option up front and intend to add him to the squad within the next two transfer windows.
A striker in demand
Varela's rapid rise at Monza has not gone unnoticed, and competition for his signature is reportedly set to be fierce given the number of clubs said to be interested. His early season form, six goals in six Serie A matches, marks him out as one of the more productive young forwards in Italian football this term.
Monza took a gamble on the forward in the summer, and that bet appears to be paying off handsomely so far. Clubs across Europe will be weighing up whether to try to prise him away from the Italian side before his value climbs even further.
What it means for Arsenal's attack
Gyokeres arrived with significant expectation but has found goals hard to come by, and reports suggest the club are not planning to keep him beyond this season if his form does not improve. Should Arsenal pursue Varela, it would signal a fresh approach to solving their long term centre forward question, targeting a younger profile still developing rather than an established finisher.
Nothing is close to being finalised, and interest alone does not guarantee a move materialises, particularly with other clubs reportedly circling. January will offer the first real indication of how seriously Arsenal intend to pursue a deal, and whether Gyokeres' situation at the club changes in the meantime.
