Nico Paz, a name that has been making waves in the football world, particularly in Italy’s Serie A, has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in European football. At just 20 years old, the Argentine attacking midfielder has already captured the attention of top clubs across the continent, including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Inter Milan. His rise to prominence, which began with his impressive performances for Como in Serie A, has not gone unnoticed, and it seems that the talented playmaker’s future is set to be a major talking point in the football world for the next few transfer windows.
Paz’s journey to Serie A and the wider football scene is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and the strong foundation provided by his family. The son of Pablo Paz, who was part of Argentina’s 1998 World Cup squad, Nico grew up surrounded by footballing excellence. Born in Tenerife in 2004, he followed in his father’s footsteps, developing a passion for the game at an early age. His first steps in football were at the CD San Juan academy, before he joined the Tenerife club, a team that held significant personal meaning for his family due to his father’s involvement with the club. His early years in Tenerife helped shape the skills that would later make him a standout talent in Spain.
In 2014, at the age of 10, Nico Paz made a move that would shape his footballing career: he joined the prestigious Real Madrid academy. Real Madrid has a history of developing some of the best footballing talents in the world, and Paz quickly proved that he belonged among their ranks. By the time he was 17, Paz had already made his mark with Real Madrid’s B team, Castilla, making 53 appearances and scoring 10 goals. His performances caught the eye of senior manager Carlo Ancelotti, who promoted him to the first team.
In November 2023, Paz made his senior debut for Real Madrid in a Champions League match. This was a significant milestone in his career, marking the beginning of what many believed would be a bright future at the Spanish giants. Over the following months, Paz made several more appearances for Madrid’s first team, impressing with his technical ability, vision, and creativity. His standout moment came when he scored his first goal for the club just three weeks after his debut. It was clear that he was not only talented but also capable of making an impact at the highest level of European football.
However, despite his early success at Real Madrid, Paz faced stiff competition for a starting spot in the team. With world-class players like Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, and Federico Valverde occupying the midfield positions, it became increasingly difficult for Paz to secure a regular spot in the first team. The competition in his preferred role, attacking midfielder, was particularly fierce. As a result, in the summer of 2024, Real Madrid made the decision to sell Paz to Como, a club newly promoted to Serie A, in search of regular playing time and further development.
The decision to sell Paz was not an easy one for Madrid, but it was a strategic move to ensure that the young talent would continue to develop in a competitive environment. Real Madrid inserted a buy-back clause into the deal, allowing them to bring Paz back to Madrid should he continue to develop as expected. This clause has added an interesting layer to Paz’s future, as it means that several clubs, including Manchester City, are now competing for the talented midfielder, knowing that Madrid could exercise the option to re-sign him.
Paz’s move to Como has proven to be a masterstroke for both him and the club. Under the guidance of former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, Paz has flourished in Serie A, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the league. His contributions have been invaluable to Como’s efforts to remain in the top tier of Italian football. With six goals and four assists in 23 matches, Paz has demonstrated his ability to influence the game and create opportunities for his teammates. His performances have been particularly impressive given that Como is a newly promoted team and is fighting to maintain its place in Serie A
Fàbregas has used Paz in a variety of attacking roles, primarily as a link between the midfield and the attack. Paz’s versatility has been a key factor in his success at Como. His ability to play as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or even as a forward has made him a dynamic and unpredictable player. Standing at over six feet tall, Paz is a physical presence on the pitch, and his ability to dribble past opponents, make incisive through balls, and create chances for his teammates has made him one of the most exciting prospects in Italian football.
It’s no surprise that Paz has attracted the interest of top clubs like Manchester City, who are constantly looking to strengthen their squad with young, talented players. The defending Premier League champions have reportedly been following Paz’s progress closely and are keen to bring him to England. According to reports, Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, is particularly fond of Paz and sees him as a player with enormous potential. Guardiola has been described as being “in love” with Paz’s style of play, and it’s clear that he believes the young Argentine could be a perfect fit for Manchester City’s high-pressing, possession-based style of football.
While Manchester City has been monitoring Paz’s performances, they are not alone in their pursuit of the midfielder. Arsenal and Inter Milan are also interested in securing his services, making the race for his signature even more competitive. However, Manchester City’s financial power and the allure of playing under Guardiola could give them an edge in securing Paz’s signature. Guardiola is known for developing young talent and giving them the opportunity to play in his system, as seen with players like Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. Paz could be the next young player to thrive under Guardiola’s guidance.
In addition to Manchester City’s interest, Real Madrid remains a major factor in Paz’s future. The buy-back clause in his contract means that Madrid could exercise their option to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabéu at any time. According to reports, Madrid is seriously considering activating the clause in the upcoming summer transfer window. If they do, they may look to loan Paz out to another club to continue his development. This would allow him to gain more experience in a competitive league before eventually returning to Madrid to play a more prominent role in the first team
The situation surrounding Paz’s future is further complicated by the fact that Real Madrid has a rich history of success and is one of the most attractive clubs in the world for young players. While Paz may have had limited opportunities at Madrid in the past, the club could offer him a chance to play at the highest level of European football once again. Additionally, with the likes of Modrić and Kroos nearing the end of their careers, there could be a vacancy in the midfield for Paz to fill in the near future. However, it remains to be seen whether he will choose to return to Madrid or take the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City, where he could continue his development under a world-renowned manager like Guardiola.
One of the key factors that will influence Paz’s decision is the playing time he will receive at his next club. While Real Madrid offers the allure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Paz may feel that his path to regular first-team football is clearer at a club like Manchester City. Guardiola has a reputation for giving young players a chance, and Paz could find himself in a more prominent role at City than he would at Madrid, where competition for places is always fierce.
For Manchester City, signing Paz would represent a significant investment in the future. While the club already has a wealth of talent in midfield, including the legendary Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian star’s future at the club remains uncertain. De Bruyne is now 34 years old, and with his contract expiring in the summer, there are questions about whether he will continue to play at the highest level for much longer. If De Bruyne does leave or reduce his role at the club, Paz could be the perfect long-term replacement. His creativity, technical ability, and vision would make him a seamless fit into Guardiola’s midfield.
In conclusion, Nico Paz is a player to watch closely in the coming transfer windows. His rise in Serie A has been remarkable, and his performances have earned him a spot among the top young talents in Europe. With interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester City and Real Madrid, Paz’s future is set to be one of the most exciting stories in football. Whether he stays at Como, returns to Madrid, or joins Manchester City, one thing is certain: Nico Paz is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more about in the years to come.
