3 weeks ago
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€50m bid 'rejected'
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Nico Paz showcased his incredible talent with a goal and assist in a man of the match display against Lazio as Como recorded an impressive win on their Serie A return. Paz’s brilliance arrived amid growing speculation around his future with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly having a €50 million bid rejected for the 20-year-old. Nico Paz was undoubtedly one of the breakout stars in Serie A last season and his extraordinary potential means he’s destined for an incredible future.
His standout performances for Como have highlighted why Real Madrid were so reluctant to sell last summer but the Champions League holders have protected their decision with an advantageous buy-back option. And it’s been reported by Fabrizio Romano that Madrid played a pivotal role in blocking Tottenham’s interest in Paz as they plan on returning him to the Santiago Bernabeu next season.
Real Madrid’s ultimate plan for Nico Paz
It’s no secret that Madrid inserted a favourable buy-back clause in the deal to sell Paz to Como and it was essentially a prerequisite to the Spanish giants agreeing to his departure. To many, Paz’s spell in the Lombardy region is effectively a loan spell and former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted, last season, that the talented midfielder represents 'the future of Madrid'. It’s understood that Mardid possess an option to re-sign Paz for €9 million this summer and that increases incrementally by €1m every summer until 2027 - his Como contract expires in 2028.
Paz has confessed that it remains his dream to return to the Spanish capital and Madrid are delighted with his unquestionable development at Como. Transfermarkt understands that Madrid plan on exercising their buy-back clause next summer and could even pay Como slightly above their €10m option for allowing Paz to flourish. There’s been reports that Como value Paz around €70m but that’s essentially irrelevant as Madrid wouldn’t allow a sale, as they could just buy him back and sell him themselves to earn a substantial profit. While Tottenham are clearly interested in Paz, it seems incredibly unlikely that he will join Thomas Frank’s men this summer due to the aforementioned factors.
How good is Nico Paz
Born in Tenerife, Paz has opted to represent Argentina over Spain and the 20-year-old was rewarded for his excellence at Como with his international debut in October. The prodigiously talented starlet garnered attention when he scored for Madrid against Napoli in the Champions League just weeks after his 19th birthday in 2023 but it’s in Italy that he’s truly forged his reputation amid the picturesque backdrop of the Alps and Lake Como.The Argentina international stands at over 6ft but he perfectly balances his impressive physicality with an elegance that makes him extremely effective and a delight to watch.
There’s naturally areas for Paz to improve - his weaker right-foot and final product - but he’s also learning under the perfect mentor in Como head coach Cesc Fàbregas. Paz’s best position has yet to be determined as he’s incredibly versatile and can play in a variety of roles. Fabregas, however, has almost exclusively utilised him as the creative fulcrum in an attacking midfield role in his preferred 4-2-3-1 role. His attacking numbers were amongst the best of any midfielder in the top five leagues last season and his stunning display against Lazio. Post-match Fabregas expressed that he was completely calm about Paz remaining at Como this season and that reflects Madrid’s presence. "I’m very calm and relaxed,” Paz said. “Nico is very happy here at Como. He’s a top, top player."
