Gunners vying for Chilean Vargas

It is understood that Arsenal, a market-leading 13/2 to win the Premier League with Coral, are tracking Alexis Sanchez’s Chile international teammate Eduardo Vargas.

The striker, who plies his trade for Napoli, spent last season on loan at Valencia, where he scored five goals in 25 appearances, before starring at the World Cup for his country, netting against Spain. Blessed with pace, and composure in front of goal, Vargas is someone who would definitely fit into the team’s style of play.

Arsene Wenger has recruited very strategically this summer; Sanchez being what is now becoming a standard flagship buy, plus specialist right back Mathieu Debuchy, talented, versatile youngster Calum Chambers, and Colombia’s number one keeper David Ospina.

Bringing Vargas in would add an ideal amount of depth to the Gunners attack, and suits Wenger’s plan of having versatility and fluidity in the final third. His signing can provide an extra dimension including quality depth that Arsenal have lacked since the days of Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp, Sylvain Wiltord and Nwankwo Kanu.

It has been reported in Italy that the striker could be available for as little as £10m, with Rafael Benitez leaving him out of Napoli’s Champions League squad, and at just 24 years old he could turn out to be a bargain.

While such players as Edinson Cavani and Jackson Martinez have been linked with the Gunners constantly in the transfer window, the north London club already have Olivier Giroud in that mould, who has the potential to be world class. It seems very much that Wenger wants different types of players who complement each other, and the thought of Vargas linking up with compatriot Sanchez, Giroud and a fit Theo Walcott is mouthwatering.

Throw into the mix Lukas Podolski Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, and Jack Wilshere, Wenger’s squad all of a sudden looks like a terrifying prospect for any opposition. Youngsters Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo will provide extra potency, the former following an impressive showing for Costa Rica at the World Cup, and the Frenchman after a mature performance in the Community Shield.

Should Arsenal land Vargas, it would bring an end to attacking additions at the Emirates, and help to cement Arsenal’s credentials. They kick off their Premier League season away at Crystal Palace, and are odds-on at 1/4 for victory.