Paz Emerges as a Rising Star in Serie A: Transfer Speculations and Impact on Como

Nico Paz has rapidly emerged as one of Serie A’s most promising young talents since his transfer from Real Madrid in 2024 for a fee of €6 million (£5.2m/$6.9m). In his inaugural season, he netted eight goals and provided six assists, earning recognition as the league’s best young player. His influence has only intensified this season, with four goals and four assists already to his name, showcasing remarkable consistency and maturity for his age.

A significant factor in his rise has been his seamless integration into the tactical system devised by coach Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas has granted Paz the autonomy to dictate the game’s tempo, exploit spaces, and propel the team forward, allowing his intelligence and technical prowess to flourish. The coach has even likened him to Lionel Messi, noting that opponents go to great lengths to prevent him from receiving the ball.

Paz is beginning to position himself as a potential successor to Messi within the national team, emerging as a primary creative force. In a recent interview with La Provincia de Como, Fabregas praised Paz, remarking on the player’s extraordinary abilities: “Nico does incredible things. He is a footballer capable of pulling a trick out of his hat at any moment.”

Fabregas also emphasized Paz’s versatility and unpredictability, explaining that the young midfielder’s willingness to attempt unconventional plays makes him challenging to defend against. For this reason, Fabregas believes that Paz should not be constrained this season, stating, “He does crazy things that are unpredictable, which is why he should not be caged.”

In the upcoming transfer window, Inter Milan is preparing to make a significant move by reportedly submitting a €58 million (£49m/$63m) bid for Paz. The club views him as a long-term partner for Lautaro Martinez, believing that his creativity and versatility could enhance their attacking capabilities for years to come. However, Inter faces a substantial hurdle due to Real Madrid’s buy-back clause, which reportedly values Paz at €8 million in 2025, €9 million in 2026, and €10 million in 2027. This stipulation grants Madrid the option to either obstruct the transfer or reacquire the player at a fraction of Inter’s proposed offer, complicating the Nerazzurri’s ambitions.

Como President Mirwan Suwarso addressed the ongoing transfer scenario, reaffirming that Real Madrid retains the right to re-sign Paz as stipulated in their original agreement. He expressed respect for the terms of the arrangement and emphasized that the player’s future remains a matter of his own choice. Suwarso stated, “I couldn’t care less. It’s a situation we agreed on from the beginning. Real Madrid are allowed to buy him back whenever they want. It’s up to Nico to decide what he wants to do with his future. We are very happy to have him. We like to build a home for him in Como. He chose to stay this season, and we take it day by day. We see how it goes. Does he go back to Madrid next season? Madrid have every right to do that. Will he stay with us? It’s up to him whether he wants it or not.”

Paz has been instrumental in Como’s impressive season, with the club currently positioned seventh and striving for European qualification. His contributions have been pivotal in securing key results, including a memorable victory over Juventus and a challenging draw against defending champions Napoli. With Paz in exceptional form, Fabregas aims to develop his system around maximizing the midfielder’s influence, ensuring he continues to be the driving force behind Como’s quest for a historic finish.