Tottenham Hotspur have apparently failed with an offer of £34.5m for Como youngster Nico Paz as they scope out potential James Maddison replacements.
The Europa League winners could be without influential playmaker Maddison for the entire season after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a friendly with Newcastle United last weekend.
The Lilywhites are also still missing Dejan Kulusevski due to his own knee injury, and while the Swede should return within a few weeks, he will not be fit for the start of the Premier League season.
Furthermore, Spurs have just loaned out21-year-old attacking midfielder Alfie Devine to Preston North End, leaving Thomas Frank without any genuine creative options for the time being.
Lucas Bergvall is seemingly the next best thing in the most advanced midfield role, while Mohammed Kudus could be trialled in that spot too, but Tottenham are understandably in the market to bolster their creative ranks.
Spurs Paz offered 'rejected' after Maddison ACL blow
Como's Nico Paz on January 20, 2025
According to Sky Italia - via the Daily Mail - Tottenham recently came forward with a bid of £34.5m for Paz, but it was swiftly rejected by Como, who are after at least £60m to consider a sale instead.
The Italian upstarts brought Paz to the club for just £5.2m from Real Madrid last summer, but Los Blancos are supposedly in line to receive a staggering 50% from the profit of any future sale.
As a result, Como will drive an extremely hard bargain for the 2004-born playmaker, but head coach Cesc Fabregas does not want to see him leave, having seen him blossom in Serie A last season.
Paz played a critical role in Como's top-flight survival with six goals and nine assists from 35 appearances, prior to which he played just eight matches for Real Madrid, scoring once.
Los Blancos can also re-sign their former Castilla starlet for as little as £7.8m until next June, or for an £8.6m package between 2026 and 2027, but they have so far held off on bringing him back to the club.
Real Madrid currently have Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz capable of playing as the most advanced midfielder, and the latter is supposedly close to signing a new long-term contract.
However, the report adds that Real Madrid have not yet decided on activating their future buyback clauses, so Spurs may need to make a revised offer if they are to avoid losing out on the 20-year-old.
What other Maddison replacements can Tottenham target?
Manchester City's Jack Grealish pictured in April 2025
Sports Mole has been told that the Lilywhites made direct contact over a move for Manchester City's Jack Grealish in the wake of Maddison's injury, but Everton are also in the running for the 29-year-old.
Spurs could also reignite their interest in Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze - who has seen a move to Arsenal stall - or look at a wild card option such as Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton & Hove Albion) or Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester City) to replace their stricken playmaker.
Frank's side are back in action on Wednesday, facing Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup, three days before opening their Premier League campaign against Burnley.
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