Arsenal plotting blockbuster January move for 'complete' striker who has smashed Kai Havertz across multiple metrics

Mikel Arteta is looking to add a complete striker to his Arsenal squad during the January transfer window, and one of his targets is a long-term upgrade on Kai Havertz.

The Gunners have started the 2026/27 Premier League campaign with six wins from seven matches and are currently second in the table, three points behind pacesetters Manchester City.

Noni Madueke's late deflected strike secured a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last time out, with their lack of ruthless edge almost costing them for the second game running.

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Arsenal want to sign Monza striker Gustavo Varela

Arsenal have won four of their seven top-flight matches by a one-goal margin. In their narrow win against Forest, the Gunners scored from their only shot on target, as they demonstrated why they are champions.

Arteta's side secured all three points without being at their best, but that formula isn't sustainable throughout the campaign, and it appears January could provide the Spaniard with an opportunity to improve his forward line.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the three-time Premier League champions have joined all of Serie A's top sides in their admiration for Monza striker Gustavo Varela.

The Portuguese U21 international is being tracked by Arsenal after watching him score six goals in as many league appearances at the start of this campaign. Meanwhile, former club Benfica - who sold him to Monza for just €2.5million (£2.1m) in 2025 - reportedly hold an option to buy him back for just €9.5million (£7.96m).

Benfica also placed a 20 per cent sell-on clause in his contract, which will come into play if he snubs a return to Portugal and remains in Italy, or perhaps ventures to the Emirates Stadium.

Widely regarded as the 'complete striker', the 21-year-old is known for his clinical finishing, strong aerial presence and high-intensity pressing - three attributes Arteta arguably lacks at centre-forward.

Kai Havertz is the Spaniard's current first choice, but he's not a prolific number nine, while Viktor Gyokeres has been used sparingly by the manager at the start of this campaign and reportedly wants to leave in January.

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How Gustavo Varela compares to Kai Havertz

Arsenal arguably ended the last transfer window weaker at striker than they started it after selling Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona, while failing to land one of their several world-class targets.

Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez were both unattainable, but Varela - whose contract at Monza expires in June 2030 - is certainly more attainable and a clear upgrade on Havertz.

As per FotMob, the Portuguese has averaged more goals per 90 (1.06 compared to 0.32), successful dribbles (1.06 compared to 0.16), and shots (2.48 compared to 2.22).

Varela has also established himself as one of Europe's most clinical finishers, converting six of his 10 shots into goals, whereas Havertz has only scored three from 13 shots this term.

An argument can be made that the Monza striker is playing in a weaker division, but the fact that he's outperformed him for several key metrics is promising, and he's arguably better suited to Arteta's centre-forward role.

The Portuguese finisher equally has the chance to develop into a more elite striker than Arteta's current options, and that is surely appealing to those monitoring his progress ahead of January.