Arsenal join Chelsea in €100m race for Real Madrid’s next Galactico

Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in Como wonderkid Nico Paz, according to Spanish media.

The Argentina international has established himself as the biggest talent in Serie A since joining Como from Real Madrid in 2024. In the summer, Los Blancos opted against exercising their cheap buy-back clause to allow him to continue to flourish in Italy.

The Spanish giants will have two more such clauses in 2026 and 2027, and it is widely expected that Paz will return to the Santiago Bernabeu next year. However, Paz also has admirers in England.

Tottenham were ready to pay more than €70 million for the 21-year-old in the summer, but this proposal was vetoed by all parties – Paz, Como and Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Como’s sporting director Carlalberto Ludi recently hinted that the youngster may not return to Spain’s capital after all.

While Ludi admitted that it is likely Paz’s desire and dream to play for Real Madrid, he claimed that the Argentine could also be tempted by an ‘incredible team’ that is ready to pay him more than Los Blancos.

Arsenal, Chelsea interested in Paz

According to Mundo Deportivo, it is not yet set in stone that Paz will actually return to Real Madrid in 2026. Given that the LaLiga challengers already have a lot of players in his position, his arrival would likely necessitate at least one big sale.

It is therefore posited that Real Madrid could simply allow Como to sell Paz to the highest bidder, which would see them pocket 50 per cent of the fee due to a sell-on clause.

Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea are said to be interested in the 21-year-old, with the Blues having already been previously associated with a move for Paz.

Inter and Juventus have also been tracking Paz for a long time, but it is highly unlikely that they would be able to afford him. In today’s market, a player of his quality is likely to fetch around €100m. He would be a Galactico signing.

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