Key Points
- Firm Transfer Stance: Como 1907 have made it clear that they have no intention of sanctioning a mid-season departure for Nico Paz during the upcoming January transfer window.
- Premier League Suitors: Major Premier League clubs—including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United—are actively monitoring the 22-year-old attacking midfielder.
- Managerial Admiration: Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso is understood to be a major admirer of the Argentine international as part of his long-term squad plans.
- Financial Commitment: Como previously secured Paz permanently from Real Madrid for €60m (£50.3m) following an impressive 2025/26 campaign featuring 13 goals and eight assists.
- Valuation & Madrid Leverage: Outside suitors are expected to face a valuation exceeding €100m, while Real Madrid retain a significant €80m buy-back clause for summer 2027.
Arsenal (North London News) October 29, 2026 – Serie A outfit Como 1907 have firmly blocked any potential January transfer for their star attacking midfielder Nico Paz, resisting mounting pressure from Premier League giants Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Despite intense speculative interest ahead of the winter transfer window, the Italian club have communicated a strict hands-off warning to all prospective suitors, establishing that the 22-year-old Argentina international will not be permitted to leave midway through the current campaign.
As reported by Fraser Fletcher of TEAMtalk, sources close to the situation confirm that Como consider Paz central to manager Cesc Fàbregas’s immediate and long-term project. The stance comes despite reports from Livescore highlighting that Premier League clubs have been actively evaluating a move, with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso identifying the creative playmaker as a primary target.
The Argentine playmaker has established himself as one of Europe’s premier young talents following a stellar 2025/26 campaign in which he registered 13 goals and eight assists across all competitions. That form prompted Como to exercise their option to acquire his full rights from Real Madrid in a permanent €60m (£50.3m) agreement last summer.
Why Are Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United Tracking Nico Paz?
Is Nico Paz currently one of the most sought-after young attack-minded midfielders in European football? As reported by Fraser Fletcher of TEAMtalk, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United have all placed the former Real Madrid academy product on their recruitment shortlists following his rapid development in Italy.
Writing for Evening Standard, sports reporter Alex Young noted that Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is a strong admirer of the Argentine international, seeking to add dynamism and elite tactical versatility to the Blues’ midfield ranks. Simultaneously, Arsenal and Manchester United are continuing to scout Paz as they look to strengthen their attacking depth ahead of upcoming domestic and European campaigns.
However, as reported by Fraser Fletcher of TEAMtalk, Como’s internal hierarchy has determined that sanctioning a sale during the middle of the season would severely undermine Cesc Fàbregas’s tactical structure and league objectives.
What Is Real Madrid’s Role in the Transfer Negotiation?
Does Real Madrid’s contractual arrangement with Como complicate a potential Premier League transfer? According to reportage by Ramon Alvarez and corroborated by Madrid Universal, the Spanish giants maintain significant legal leverage over the player’s future.
As detailed by Lorenzo Bettoni of Football Italia, when Como finalised the €60m deal to retain Paz, Real Madrid ensured the inclusion of a unilateral €80m buy-back clause valid for the summer of 2027. This contractual clause effectively gives the Santiago Bernabéu side priority over English suitors should they decide to bring the midfielder back to La Liga.
Furthermore, as outlined by Livescore, any Premier League club wishing to bypass Real Madrid’s future option and negotiate a direct deal with Como during a summer window would likely need to submit an offer well in excess of €100m (£83.5m) to persuade the Italian club to negotiate.
Background of the Development
Nico Paz initially arrived at Como in the summer of 2024 from Real Madrid’s youth framework, seeking consistent first-team football under the guidance of head coach Cesc Fàbregas. Over his initial two seasons in Serie A, Paz transitioned from a promising academy graduate into a crucial match-winner, showcasing technical proficiency, tactical awareness, and goalscoring capability from central areas.
His form throughout the 2025/26 season—delivering 21 direct goal contributions in all competitions—solidified his status as one of Serie A’s finest attacking assets. Recognizing his rising market value and central role in Fàbregas’s setup, Como invested €60m (£50.3m) to secure his services on a long-term basis. Paz himself has publicly expressed satisfaction with his tactical growth in Italy, frequently crediting the trust placed in him by the coaching staff for his selection to the Argentine senior national squad.
Prediction: How This Transfer Decision Impacts Key Stakeholders
Impact on Como 1907 and Cesc Fàbregas
By enforcing a strict non-sale stance in January, Como safeguard their competitive ambitions for the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign. Retaining Paz ensures Fàbregas keeps his primary creative spark, maximizing the club’s prospects of securing European qualification and maintaining tactical stability.
Impact on Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United
Premier League suitors will be forced to recalibrate their immediate winter transfer strategy. Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United must either turn to short-term alternative targets in January or lay the groundwork for a heavily contested summer bidding war. Any summer move will require substantial financial outlay exceeding €100m, alongside navigate complex competition from Real Madrid.
Impact on Real Madrid’s Long-Term Planning
Real Madrid remain in a highly advantageous position. The Spanish club can monitor Paz’s development in Serie A without financial risk, retaining the option to trigger his €80m buy-back clause in 2027 should a squad opening arise at the Santiago Bernabéu.
