Arsenal Target Gustavo Varela as Viktor Gyokeres Replacement London 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal have initiated preliminary movements to monitor Monza forward Gustavo Varela as a potential long-term replacement for Viktor Gyökeres.
• Gyökeres faces an uncertain future in North London after seeing his playing time drastically reduced under manager Mikel Arteta.
• Despite scoring 21 goals during the 2025/26 campaign and aiding Arsenal’s Premier League title victory, the Swedish striker has struggled for consistent league starts.
• Portuguese youth international Varela has impressed in Serie A following a modest €2.5 million transfer from Benfica.
• Monza could demand a substantial fee to entertain any potential mid-season sale, while former club Benfica retain a buy-back clause and a 20 per cent sell-on fee.
• Competition for Varela’s signature includes Serie A rivals SSC Napoli, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and SS Lazio.

Arsenal (North London News) October 24, 2026 — Premier League champions Arsenal have reportedly begun laying the groundwork for a prospective swoop for AC Monza striker Gustavo Varela as uncertainty continues to mount over the long-term role of Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres at Emirates Stadium. Scouting network reports indicate that the Gunners have joined a growing collection of elite European clubs closely tracking the 21-year-old Portuguese forward, who has taken Serie A by storm since arriving in Italy earlier this year.

Why are Arsenal contemplating a replacement for Viktor Gyökeres?

As reported by Chief Editor Robin Bairner of FootballTransfers, Viktor Gyökeres “continues to find his future under threat at Arsenal, with the Sweden striker having failed to establish himself as the starter that Mikel Arteta hoped he would become when he signed from Sporting in 2025”. Although Gyökeres registered 21 goals across all competitions during the 2025/26 campaign to help Arsenal secure their long-awaited Premier League title, questions regarding his tactical fit in Arteta’s fluid possession system have persisted.

As outlined by Mark White of FourFourTwo, the Swedish forward has struggled for consistent action, starting predominantly in domestic cup competitions and European fixtures while recording limited minutes in the Premier League. Publicly addressing his situation, Gyökeres confirmed his desire for regular playing time, stating, “I want to play as much as possible,” which has fueled ongoing speculation regarding a potential exit in either the upcoming January transfer window or the summer of 2027.

Addressing the persistent transfer reports and the striker’s form, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta mounted a defense of his player. As reported by Suraj Radia of LiveScore, Arteta remarked:

“What he transmits is an incredible will and determination and work rate to improve and help the team. That’s Viktor every single day regardless of his position, whether he scored a goal or not. And that’s why he’s always an option to play.”

Arteta added:

“These are moments in a player’s career, or in a season I would say. We are trying to help him as much as possible. The other day, he had some very good moments. He was three or four times in front of goal with no keeper, the ball should arrive to him and it doesn’t and maybe you are talking about something else. But these are the strikers. It is very small margins. Scoring or not scoring changes the narrative, for sure not the perception how much he can help the team.”

Despite public support from the coaching staff, reports suggest Arsenal’s recruitment hierarchy is actively exploring market alternatives to ensure tactical depth in the central attacking role.

Who is Gustavo Varela and why are European clubs pursuing him?

As reported by Enrico Passarella of The Cult of Calcio, Gustavo Varela has emerged as one of Serie A’s breakout talents, attracting serious interest from both Napoli and Arsenal. The 21-year-old Portuguese youth international joined Monza from Benfica’s reserve setup for a reported fee of €2.5 million, quickly asserting himself as a key figure under manager Ivan Jurić.

Highlighting the forward’s potential, Monza head coach Ivan Jurić stated:

“He is already scoring a lot of goals, and he still has enormous room for improvement in many areas.”

Passarella noted that Varela’s key attributes extend beyond basic goalscoring, explaining that “beyond his nose for goals, his involvement in the build-up and shiftiness also stand out, making him a very intriguing prospect” who could immediately contribute at an elite club.

What are the financial and structural complications of a potential transfer?

As detailed by transfer insider Nicolò Schira and reported via Tuttomercato and TransferFeed, any deal for Varela involves complex contractual layers. Benfica retained both a buy-back option—valued between €9.5 million and €10 million—and a 20 per cent sell-on clause regarding future profits. As reported by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, while Benfica lack an immediate auto-trigger clause without player consent, they hold the right to match incoming proposals from third-party clubs, placing the final decision in the hands of the player.

Furthermore, Monza’s willingness to sanction a sale mid-season remains low unless presented with a substantial offer. Several Italian outlets indicate that AC Milan, Inter Milan, and SS Lazio are keeping tabs on Varela’s progress alongside Premier League scouts.

Background of the Development

The modern transfer strategy under Arsenal sporting directorate and manager Mikel Arteta has prioritized high-intensity, multi-functional attackers capable of pressing aggressively and combining in tight central spaces. The recruitment of Viktor Gyökeres in the summer of 2025 was aimed at supplying a direct, physical goal threat following his prolific scoring record in Portugal with Sporting CP.

While Gyökeres contributed crucial goals during Arsenal’s successful 2025/26 title run, Arteta has frequently preferred Kai Havertz or alternate fluid setups in high-stakes Premier League fixtures. This shift in selection patterns has created structural friction, leading Arsenal’s recruitment division to scout emerging European prospects like Varela who possess strong link-up mechanics alongside direct aerial and finishing qualities.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Arsenal and the Involved Stakeholders

If Arsenal decide to advance their preliminary interest into a formal bid for Gustavo Varela, it could trigger a wider sequence of movements across the European striker market:

• For Viktor Gyökeres: Increased movement by Arsenal towards securing a new striker would signal a definitive shift in his long-term standing at Emirates Stadium. Should a January or summer exit materialize, Gyökeres would attract substantial interest from Serie A, La Liga, and Saudi Pro League outfits seeking an established central forward.
• For Arsenal Football Club: Acquiring a dynamic 21-year-old profile like Varela would realign the squad’s age profile and offer Arteta a versatile option capable of serving as a high-impact contributor or long-term starter. However, entering a bidding war with continental clubs could elevate the transfer fee significantly above his baseline market value.
• For AC Monza and Benfica: Monza stand to secure a significant return on their initial €2.5 million investment. Concurrently, Benfica could exercise their right-to-match or capitalize on their 20 per cent sell-on clause, maximizing financial returns from their former academy product.