Como ace Nico Paz, who was once of Real Madrid, has shone for the Italian side and Arsenal have been encouraged to pursue the Argentine despite interest from the likes of Chelsea
Nico Paz has excelled in an impressive Como outfit
Nico Paz has excelled in an impressive Como outfit
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Arsenal have been urged to land Como's Nico Paz this summer despite former club Real Madrid having a buy-back option and Chelsea also being keen.
The Gunners have continued to invest heavily in their squad and, more recently, spent big to land the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze. They have helped spearhead their pursuit of the Premier League this term.
Now Owen Hargreaves thinks they should go after Paz, who has been a shining light in a Como side that have exceed expectations in Serie A. They sit in the Champions League spots with the Argentine midfielder scoring 11 times in all competitions.
Paz, who is managed by former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas, has been at the Italian side since 2024 when he left Los Blancos. The Spanish giants are believed to have the option to re-sign Paz but Hargreaves thinks Arsenal need to move for the 21-year-old, who could see his stock rise at the World Cup this summer.
The former England star said on TNT Sports: "There’s a young lad at Como, Nico Paz. There’s an option for him to go back to Real Madrid but if I’m Arsenal… This kid – you’ll see him at the World Cup. Mikel Arteta will already know that this boy will be a star and if you don’t ask you don’t get. A player like that could suit Arsenal."
Fabregas has seen Paz's quality up close and he looks like a bargain having joined for just €6million (£5.2m). Back in November he said: "Nico does incredible things. He is a footballer capable of pulling a trick out of his hat at any moment." Last week he doubled down on that view as he said: "He sees the goal, he is not afraid. Nico enjoys playing, he can play different roles and he is very complete player. I see a very, very big potential in him."
Arsenal may have to make several decisions regarding their frontline this summer. Ethan Nwaneri has had to head out on loan with Mikel Arteta struggling to give all of his players their desired game time.
The Argentine was previously at Real Madrid, who could look to bring him back
The Argentine was previously at Real Madrid, who could look to bring him back
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Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Eze and Madueke are among the wide options available to him with Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus vying for the No 9 shirt. Kai Havertz remains a versatile option.
Despite that wealth of attacking talent Arsenal have been criticised for an over reliance on set pieces. The Gunners have set records for the amount of goals they've scored from dead ball situations, leading to suggestions they lack a cutting edge in open play.
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