by Lewis Ambrose

First it was Arturo Vidal, now it is Eduardo Vargas: the Italian press seem absolutely determined to sell us one of Alexis Sánchez’ international teammates.

But why would we go for Vargas? The player had an unsuccessful and largely unimpressive loan spell in the Premier League with Queens Park Rangers last season.

The unreliable Sport Mediaset say Arsenal are in talks with Napoli over a transfer worth around £11.3M, which seems way too much for a 25 year-old who hasn’t really done anything in Europe despite a number of opportunities.

On Tuesday his agent was touting him on Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Every year, at this time, everyone asks about Vargas,” he said.

Everyone. Which is presumably why Napoli have never looked too interested in using him and he only ended up at QPR last summer?

“He’s the top scorer in the Copa America, I imagine there will soon be a lot of clubs interested in getting someone who provides that level of performance.”

Form

The striker is in great form at the Copa América, just as he impressed at the World Cup last summer. He certainly has something about him, as 22 goals in 45 international appearances suggest.

That something, though, hasn’t been proven in anything more substantial that bursts of form. He clearly clicks well with Alexis, but who wouldn’t?

Vargas managed just three Premier League goals in 21 appearances (16 starts) last season. Fewer than he has in the Copa América this summer. He won’t be joining Arsenal.