Chelsea enquire about Argentine prodigy whose value could rise beyond €100m

Soccer Football – Serie A – AC Milan v Como – San Siro, Milan, Italy – March 15, 2025 Como's Nico Paz during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Claudia Greco

Chelsea are interested in signing Como midfielder Nico Paz. The 21-year-old joined Como in the summer of 2024 from Real Madrid and has been one of Serie A’s brightest talents.

He scored six goals and added eight assists during his debut season with the club in 2024/2025, and has carried that form into the start of this season. He’s scored four goals and assisted another four in 11 Serie A appearances so far.

CaughtOffside has reported that Chelsea has now officially enquired about the player’s availability, but will be aware that any deal for the player will be difficult to complete. This is due in part to the structure of the player’s contract, which includes Real Madrid’s buy-back clauses and a 50% sell-on clause retained when they sanctioned his move to Como.

Madrid hold first refusal rights for the player, and buy-back options worth €9 million in 2026 and €10 million in 2027. It is believed that this played large factor in Como’s decision to reject a €70m offer from Tottenham for the player in the summer.

Chelsea will face competition for the player, with clubs in the Premier League and across Europe all vying for his signature. Arsenal are also believed to be tracking the player while Tottenham retain their interest.

Inter Milan is also reportedly ready to offer upwards of €58m for the player – which would be submitted to Real Madrid to acquire Paz’s full rights. The player’s value could rise towards the €100m mark given his age and the existence of Madrid’s 50% sell-on clause.

It would take quite the figure to prize him away from Como for any club other than Madrid, who are reportedly interested in bringing the player back. Uncertainty continues to grow over the futures of Brazilian pair Vinicius Junior and Endrick.

Chelsea are reeling from the loss of Cole Palmer through injury, and are in need of more creativity in the middle of the pitch. Palmer has been hampered by a persistent groin injury that kept him sidelined since September.

Joao Pedro has deputized as an emergency No.10 in the meantime, but boss Enzo Maresca might favour a more natural playmaker in the long run.

Nadji is a football writer with over 10 years of experience covering the Premier League. His work has been featured on Football Fancast, Arsenal-Mania, and Arsenal.com, where he has built a reputation for delivering sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and in-depth coverage of the game.