Arsenal are preparing a bid for Argentine attacking midfielder Nico Paz, a player Tottenham Hotspur tried and failed to sign last summer. This fresh interest comes as Spurs struggle in the Premier League, sitting 18th with just one point from three games.
Spurs' poor start includes a -5 goal difference, having conceded five times without scoring. They are already eight points behind leaders Manchester City. The club's immediate focus is a home match against Everton on September 12th, but transfer speculation persists.
Nico Paz has become one of Europe's most sought-after young midfielders. The 22-year-old Argentina international has been instrumental for Como, helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time. His individual accolades are impressive. He won the league's best midfielder award one season, then followed it up by being named the best Under-23 player in the 2024-25 campaign. Since joining Como, his direct contribution has been significant with 20 goals and 15 assists.
His performances triggered a complex transfer this summer. Real Madrid, who originally developed him, exercised a buy-back clause to sign him from Como. They then immediately sold him back to the Italian club for a reported €60 million. Crucially, Madrid inserted a new buy-back clause set at €80 million, which is valid only for the upcoming summer window.
Tottenham Hotspur's attempt to sign Nico Paz is well-documented. Last summer, managed by Jose Mourinho at the time, the club submitted a substantial €70 million bid for the player. That offer was ultimately unsuccessful. Now, with Arsenal entering the race, a narrative of North London rivalry has been added to the transfer saga.
This puts Spurs in a difficult position, watching a primary target from a year ago potentially move to their fiercest rivals.
Arsenal's interest is driven by a clear squad need. The club reportedly views Paz as a player who can bolster their attacking midfield options and provide competition for captain Martin Odegaard. This summer, Arsenal saw backups Fabio Vieira and Ethan Nwaneri depart, leaving them without a direct replacement for their Norwegian playmaker. An internal source at Arsenal said the club 'want Paz to bolster their attacking midfield options, potentially acting as competition for club captain Martin Odegaard.'
Securing Paz would not only strengthen Mikel Arteta's squad but also deal a psychological blow to Tottenham in the process. For Spurs fans, it would be a frustrating repeat of seeing a key target slip away, this time to a direct competitor.
Tottenham could make a move to prevent Arsenal from signing Paz. There is a potential financial incentive for Spurs. If they were to acquire Paz and then sell him on later, the €80 million buy-back clause inserted by Real Madrid could allow them to turn a profit. This clause creates a clear ceiling and floor for his future transfer value.
Tottenham's current squad issues are compounded by injuries to key attackers Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons. Adding a creative force like Paz could help address their glaring lack of goals. The team's upcoming fixtures present a chance to climb the standings, but reinforcing the squad remains a priority. The next opportunity to do so will be when the transfer window reopens, with Paz's €80 million release clause active for one summer only.
