Nico Paz's stock continues to rise and there is reported to be heavy interest in Como's attacking midfielder from several clubs across Europe.
Argentina international Paz, who is playing at the World Cup, started out his career at Real Madrid before signing for Como in the summer of 2024 for a deal worth around six million euros.
The 21-year-old impressed in his debut season, with his six goals and nine assists seeing him named best Under-23 player at the 2024/25 Serie A awards.
Under contract until 2028, it is now believed that Paz's former employers, Los Blancos, have a buy-back clause of 9m euros and they will bring him back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Madrid are not looking to integrate Paz into the first team and they will instead look to sell him to one of the number of top European clubs chasing his signature.
We assess where Paz could be playing his football come the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
Como
It is entirely plausible that Como strike a deal to bring Paz back to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, although it is unclear whether they would be willing to meet his reported 60m euros valuation.
After his brilliant debut season, the Argentine stepped it up a level in the 2025/26 season, registering 12 goals and six assists in 35 Serie A appearances to help the club finish fourth.
That position secured UEFA Champions League football for Como and manager Cesc Fabregas knows he needs to strengthen his ranks with a busier fixtures schedule to come.
Chelsea
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is set for a busy summer at Stamford Bridge, with plenty of arrivals and departures anticipated, and he is keen to bring in Paz.
The former Real boss still has a good relationship with the Spanish giants, despite lasting less than eight months in charge, and he will look to use this strong rapport to get a deal sorted.
There have been suggestions Los Blancos will offer Paz plus cash in a bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is believed to want a new challenge after three years in London.
If Fernandez does move to the Bernabeu, he would become the second Blues player to do so this summer following Marc Cucurella's switch to the Spanish capital.
A lack of European football in the upcoming season for Chelsea would be a concern for Paz, though.
Tottenham
Having survived Premier League relegation on the final day of the 2025/26 season, Tottenham Hotspur are looking for a bumper summer of investment and they have set their sights on a number of players.
Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have all arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on free transfers, while Jan Paul van Hecke has joined from Brighton.
Having brought in four defensive additions, manager Robert De Zerbi is now eyeing attacking players and Paz is said to be one of the club's main targets.
Spurs are willing to pay the 60m euros valuation and they are believed to be working hard to get a deal sorted before other clubs firm up their interest.
Again, a lack of European football is a hindrance and could put Paz off from making the switch to north London.
Should Tottenham fail to land Paz, they are also looking at signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.
Arsenal
Premier League champions Arsenal, who lost in the UEFA Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain, are also said to be keeping tabs on Paz's situation.
The Gunners' interest is tentative at best right now, but it could firm up should Paz impress for Argentina at the World Cup and they have the lure of playing in Europe's top competition.
Inter Milan
Serie A champions Inter Milan have also been credited with an interest, although any deal looks to be dead in the water based on the comments made by Fabregas.
Marca quoted the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder as saying in May: “Nico is 50% a Como player, but he is ours. The only club that can say anything is Real Madrid.
"If I can say one thing, I know it for certain: Nico Paz will not play for Inter. Either he returns to Real Madrid or he plays for Como next year."
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
