Nico Paz transfer: Tottenham to spend record sum to ensure Real Madrid won't hand them another summer humiliation?

James Maddison's injury has reportedly forced Tottenham to go after the former Real Madrid midfielder, as Thomas Frank is convinced he needs a better-equipped number 10 for European challenges. The failure to sign Morgan Gibbs-White, despite activating the player’s release clause, and losing out on the Eberechi Eze battle to Arsenal, may force Spurs to go all in for the Argentine Nico Paz, who is currently with Como in Serie A, multiple reports showed.

Real Madrid academy product Nico Paz is an integral part of Como, who were recently promoted to the Italian top-tier. The 20-year-old Paz, who played in the UEFA Champions League in the white shirt before making a €6 million switch, had nine assists and six goals to his credit last season for the Cesc Fàbregas-managed team. He was named Serie A’s Best Debutant and was included in the Team of the Season on FC25.

Nico Paz joined Como on a permanent deal after spending eight years with Real Madrid. He was unable to cement a place in Los Blancos’ starting eleven despite featuring in the UEFA Champions League as a teenager. However, he proved his worth under Cesc Fàbregas at Como, scoring six goals and providing nine assists in 35 games.

The Argentine, who started as a defender in the Madrid academy, later started operating on the wings before settling down in the midfield. Nico Paz was used as a substitute for Fede Valverde by Real in a Champions League game before being trusted to replace Dani Carvajal on the right side of the defence during a league clash. In all, he managed eight appearances for the club (four in La Liga) before being sold to the Italian side. He was slated for a return to Real following the appointment of Xabi Alonso but nothing materialised. However, the European giants can re-sign the Argentine for just €9m in 2026 and €10m in 2027 as per the deal with Como.

Paz and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche are the two midfielders who are currently on the London club's radar. However, Paz is likely to get a call from the Europa League champions first. But given Real's ability to trigger the buy-back clause, Spurs will definitely have to break the bank to seal the deal, reports pointed out. Real Madrid have the right to match any bids made for Paz, apart from the right to access 50 per cent of the sale price. The presence of the huge sell-on clause means Como will have to confirm an incredible price for the gifted midfielder in order to make a sale worthwhile. However, Tottenham does not mind shelling out money after repeated humiliations in the market and is expected to fast-track things once the Savinho deal is finalised.