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Arsenal receive official answer after Real Madrid hijack attempt
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Arsenal have seen their approach for one of Europe’s most highly-regarded wonderkids rebuffed, according to CaughtOffside.
The Gunners wanted to begin talks for Nico Paz, who is coached by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas at the northern Italian club, but were informed that the player only wants to return to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have a €9 million buy-back clause for the player after his €6 million transfer from the Spanish giants in 2024, which Fabrizio Romano recently reported.
STATS
Nico Paz
AM, M (C)
Nico Paz
AM, M (C)
Como
That figure is a fraction of Paz’s €69 million Expected Transfer Value (ETV). In the 2025 summer transfer window, Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur offered a deal worth a potential €70 million including add-ons.
A €9 million deal for a player of Paz’s calibre could be one of the biggest bargains in recent memory not including free transfers. It looks like the 21-year-old Argentine will join the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Rodrygo, and other talented players in Madrid’s attack while Arsenal will have to look elsewhere.
What losing out on Paz means for Arsenal
A left-footed, versatile attacking midfielder, Paz would have been an ideal player to deputise for or rival both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Como’s No. 10 has 10 goals and six assists in Serie A this season after posting six goals and eight assists in 2024/25.
With Odegaard fellow attacking midfielder Kai Havertz dealing with injuries throughout this season and Eberechi Eze being inconsistent outside of matches against Spurs, a player like Paz — who is a handful of years younger than most of Arsenal’s attackers — could have been a wise investment.
Paz also has more of a pedigree than the last player Arsenal tried as Odegaard’s backup, Fabio Vieira. Paz has two impressive seasons under his belt in a top-five league, while Vieira had just one with six goals and 14 assists for FC Porto in Liga Portugal in 2021/22.
Still, Arsenal should not be too discouraged by missing out on Paz. Ethan Nwaneri, who only turns 20 at the end of the season and plays in the same position as Paz, will return from his Marseille loan for next season, while 16-year-old left-footed right-winger Max Dowman has already made waves in the Premier League despite his youth.
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