Monza have finalised a deal to sign Portugal Under-21 striker Gustavo Varela from Benfica, with Sky Sport Italia reporting the agreement is worth €2m plus up to €1.5m in performance-related add-ons.
The 21-year-old is expected to travel to Italy for his medical over the weekend before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract through to 2031.
Varela, who spent last season on loan at Gil Vicente in the Portuguese top flight, is a Portugal Under-21 international with three goals in five appearances at that level. He comes from a footballing family — his father Fernando Varela is a former Cape Verde international defender who played for clubs including Steaua Bucharest and PAOK Salonika.
Monza beat competition from several clubs to secure Varela's signature. Serie A sides Venezia and Parma had also been linked with the striker, alongside Greek side PAOK Salonika and French outfit Paris FC.
The acquisition continues Monza's busy summer window. The Brianza club also recently brought in Ricardo Mangas from Sporting CP on loan with an option to buy for €1.5m, as they look to build a squad capable of pushing further up the Serie A table.
Varela is viewed as a long-term investment — a young forward with international pedigree who can develop under Monza's project while contributing immediately to the first-team rotation under head coach Alessandro Nesta.
Sources
- https://football-italia.net/done-monza-agreement-benfica-striker-varela/
