Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly closely monitoring Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz.
Paz joined Como on a four-year deal from Real Madrid in August 2024 and has quickly established himself as a staple of Cesc Fabregas’ midfield, as well as one of the most exciting young talents in Serie A football.
This season, Paz has racked up four goals and four assists in his first seven league matches for Como this season, making him the second-highest scorer – behind only Riccardo Orsolini – and the top assist-maker in Italian top flight.
Though born in Spain, Paz has also forced his way into Argentina reckoning ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the 21-year-old already capped six times at international level.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus are ‘following his path’ with Como, while Arsenal and Chelsea are ‘doing the same’ in the Premier League.
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However, the report claims Real Madrid have ‘the upper hand’ and can ensure the youngster’s return to the Bernabeu by triggering an €8million (£7m) buyback clause in his contract with Como.
Paz made eight first-team appearances for Madrid after breaking out of the club’s academy ranks, even scoring in the side’s 4-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League back in November 2023.
The Argentine also netted in a pre-season friendly with bitter rivals Barcelona the following summer, before leaving Madrid to sign for Como in pursuit of regular playing time.
His current contract with Como runs through to June 2028.
‘You never know. I’m focused on Como, which is where I belong. I’m very happy and excited,’ Paz said in an interview with Spanish publication AS this summer.
‘Maybe one day I’ll return to Real Madrid. I have no idea what the future holds. I don’t even know what I’ll do tomorrow!’
Facing the media after Como’s victory over Juventus on Sunday, Fabregas said he believed in Paz just as Arsene Wenger did with him in his early days at Arsenal.
Wenger was pictured in the stands at Como’s Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia to watch the match, with Fabregas revealing: ‘He came into my office with Thierry Henry beforehand.
‘I thank him because when I was 16 he believed in me, just as I believe in Nico Paz.
‘I am very confident about his [Paz’s] future because I can tell when a player has the mindset to become a top player.
‘If he continues like this, he can go wherever he wants.’
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