Football Insider

Tottenham dealt major Nico Paz blow amid Real Madrid twist

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Charlie Grace

Thu 28 August 2025 21:18, UK

Tottenham have been dealt another blow in their hunt for a number 10, with a move for Como’s Nico Paz looking increasingly unlikely.



Following injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham are light of options in attacking midfield, with Mohammed Kudus currently the only incoming for new boss Thomas Frank.



Earlier in the window Spurs target Morgan Gibbs-White signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest after their pursuit in the attacker, before having a move for Eberechi Eze hijacked by North London rivals Arsenal.

Paz was one of the options being explored by Tottenham, and as Football Insider revealed, the club have spoken to Aston Villa about Morgan Rogers, and an attempt to hijack Chelsea’s deal for Xavi Simons have also been discussed.

While discussions may continue over those potential targets, a move for Paz has taken a potential blow as more news has emerged in relation to the deal.

NICOLAS NICO PAZ, Como, Como Cup, Friendly match, 2025-26, Como vs Ajax 3-0, 27-07-2025, Azione, Action, Single shot, Close up COMO CUP 2025-26 – AMICHEVOLE FINALE COMO-AJAX 3-0

A move for Paz was always going to be difficult especially with the Argentine’s former club Real Madrid remaining in the picture.

More details have now been revealed relating to a transfer for the 20-year-old as the Athletic’s James Horncastle said: “Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Nico Paz is unlikely to pan out this window.

Como have received expressions of interest from the north London club that would value the player in excess of €70million.

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But Paz, who has shone since joining the Italian side from Real Madrid for €6m last summer, is hopeful of returning to the Bernabeu next summer,” he continued.

The Italian football expert went on to say: “Madrid have buy-back clauses in place for the 20-year-old, and next summer it would cost them €10m to bring him back based on the current terms, in which each club owns 50 per cent of his rights.

“However, Como are trying to renegotiate the terms of the agreement, paying for a more significant percentage of Paz’s rights, with a higher buy-back clause for Madrid to pay next summer.



“Paz is happy to stay at Como for now, especially as it would provide him with stability before the 2026 World Cup, where he will be hoping to represent Argentina,” Horncastle finished.

Credit: Imago

Football Insider verdict

Having had attempts to sign three attacking midfielders turned down, Daniel Levy may now have to cut his losses and admit that Tottenham will have to enter the season with Kudus and Joao Palhinha as their only major summer additions.

Frank is a good enough coach to transform this side, that finished 17th in the Premier League last season, into European contenders, but their lack of depth is a concern.

While their starting lineup looks solid and has already generated five goals and two clean sheets in their opening two Premier League games, Frank’s rotation is limited when the games begin to pile up.



NameGoalsDominic Solanke9Mathys Tel2Richarlison4Brennan Johnson11Wilson Odobert1Mohammed Kudus5Premier League goals by Tottenham’s currently fit attackers (FBref)

Spurs will be without Maddison for the season, and Kulusevski until the new year, leaving Kudus as their only recognised number 10.



Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke will battle for places at centre-forward whilst Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, and Wilson Odobert are Frank’s only other attacking options.