Sport: Barcelona closely monitoring Monza's Gustavo Varela, but no official offer yet

Barcelona are eyeing one of the biggest surprises in Italian football. Portuguese forward Gustavo Varela, 21, has made a sensational start at Monza, attracting interest from several European giants. According to Portuguese outlet A BOLA, Barcelona have joined the clubs closely monitoring the striker's performances.

Arsenal were among the first clubs to inquire about his contract situation, and Napoli are also considering a move. The competition could drive up the price of the Serie A standout.

Gustavo Varela's statistics explain the outside interest. The forward has scored nine goals and provided one assist in nine Serie A matches, which puts him top of the league's scoring charts. Across all competitions, he has netted 11 goals in 10 appearances, a breakout run that has significantly increased his market value.

Monza signed the Portuguese player from Benfica last summer for a transfer fee of just €2 million plus add-ons. The deal could now turn into a huge profit for the Italian club, who are reportedly looking to recoup between €40 million and €50 million from his sale.

Gustavo Varela's contract runs until June 2030 and does not include a release clause, so any negotiations must go through Monza. Although the Italian club have no intention of letting their top scorer leave, the situation could change in the January transfer window if a substantial offer arrives.

Benfica are also following developments closely. The Lisbon club retained a 20% sell-on clause and a right of first refusal on any future transfer. If Monza sell him for €50 million, Benfica would receive approximately €9.6 million. A Benfica academy product standing 1.84 meters tall, Gustavo Varela is the type of center-forward several European giants are looking for. His goal-scoring explosion has also put him on the radar of the Portuguese national team.

For now, Barcelona are just one of the clubs closely monitoring his progress, and no official offer has been made. Gustavo Varela's strong emergence and the competition from Premier League sides could make his future one of the most talked-about topics of the next transfer window.