Grêmio loanee Eduardo Vargas wanted by Middlesbrough – reports

Grêmio loanee Eduardo Vargas has been linked with a move to England as Championship side Middlesbrough are reportedly interested in his services. The 23-year-old forward joined the Porto Alegre-based side on a season-long loan for €1.9m in January, having failed to settle in at Napoli after leaving his native Chile. But according to reports in […]
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sambafoot_admin
2013-07-15 16:00:00

Grêmio loanee Eduardo Vargas has been linked with a move to England as Championship side Middlesbrough are reportedly interested in his services.

The 23-year-old forward joined the Porto Alegre-based side on a season-long loan for €1.9m in January, having failed to settle in at Napoli after leaving his native Chile.

But according to reports in England, Boro are looking to push through a deal for Vargas before their new season kicks off on August 3, which is expected to be another loan.

Grêmio’s director of football, Rui Costa, admitted last month that he was unsure whether Vargas would remain in Brazil, after Napoli appointed new coach Rafa Benitez, as there is a clause which allows his parent club to recall him at any point.

“We have not had a definitive answer from Naples,” Costa told Gazzetta.it. “He has a contract with us until December, but may return to his club of origin. We must wait.”

Therefore, Napoli may be interested in showcasing the young forward’s talents at Boro, with a view to securing a Premier League transfer in the future.

Vargas had a very successful career in his homeland, representing Cobreloa and Universidad de Chile, but failed to score during 19 Serie A appearances after an €11.5 million transfer in January 2012, though he did net a hat-trick in the Europa League.

After sealing his loan switch, Vargas admitted: “I had a good career in Chile, now I want to repeat that in Brazil.

“I was not happy in Italy. I didn’t feel good on my debut and played badly, then I lost my confidence and was never able to play consistently.”

The Chile international has proved a hit in Brazil, scoring four goals in 10 domestic appearances, including a brace against Botafogo on Sunday.

Vargas scored either side of a Clarence Seedorf strike during the first half at Grêmio Arena yesterday to knock the Fogão off top spot in the Brasileirão.

The Chile international, who has a one-in-three strike-rate at international level, was called up for a friendly against the Seleção in April and fired home a sensational long-range effort to steal a 2-2 draw at the Mineirão.