Tottenham Hotspur have been looking to bring in an attacking midfielder in the roster at Hotspur Way in the ongoing summer transfer window, with Daniel Levy recognizing Real Madrid academy graduate Nico Paz as a possible option. However, with a €40m bid for the Argentine international rejected by his current employers (Como), the North Londoners’ supporters have been left wondering and debating the possible alternatives or whether to fork out such a marquee fee for the 20-year-old.
Another player that the Lilywhites have been looking to sign this summer in the attacking midfield position is Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.
The Fulham academy graduate has already been through the furnace of English football and has racked up over 90 appearances for the Merseysiders in his time at Anfield Road. And this includes some high-profile games in Champions League knockouts. Moreover, he has played in multiple roles in that right channel for the Reds, which makes him highly adaptable to Thomas Frank’s fluid structural framework.
So with Elliott, you get someone who knows the tempo and the pace/power of English at the top tier.
Thomas Frank at the moment in this current roster needs more than just promise; the Danish head coach needs certainty, which makes Harvey Elliott more of a safe option on paper.
What are Tottenham prioritising in terms of impact?
Tottenham are interested in signing Como playmaker Nico Paz
Tottenham have been looking to move for Nico Paz.
With the Dane head coach, Thomas Frank, taking the helm at N17, the North Londoners have been prioritising players who are multi-functional in a sense, especially in the middle of the park. And that comes with their ability to contribute with the ball, where they can drift wide and play between the lines whilst contributing to the press. Elliott ticks every one of those boxes. The Fulham academy graduate has been playing as an 8, a 10, and even as a right-sided forward, all without losing his intensity or tactical discipline.
Paz, while he is technically gifted, is more of a free player, and while that is not a bad thing, it comes with a lot of risk with adaptation, which raises the question of whether he can handle the defensive responsibilities Frank will demand and whether he can cope with the physical side of the English top tier week in, week out. And this is the kind of question which gives you a sense of blur going into a season where consistency is very important.
Elliott will give you immediate impact; Paz is more of a long-term signing
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli and Harvey Elliott of Liverpool FC in action.
Tottenham have been eyeing a move for Harvey Elliott. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
So you have Elliott on one side who comes in ready to play in the Premier League, and if you drop him into the North Londoners’ midfield tomorrow, he will definitely contribute. Now whether you do that as a rotation option for Maddison (who is injured at the moment) or a creative competition for Bergvall, or even cover Kulusevski in the front line, he’d give you output everywhere.
While Paz would be more of a long-term project if he were to sign at Tottenham, and given that his ceiling might be huge, it’s likely he would need some time to adapt, and with the Lilywhites looking to compete on all fronts in the upcoming season, it is not a luxury that Tottenham can afford (especially with Maddison injured for a long term).
Let’s talk finances of both the possible transfers
Tottenham have again been linked with a move for Jack Grealish after failing to sign him during his time at Aston Villa
Elliott or Paz, who of the two should Tottenham opt for?
If it is about money, you’d think that Liverpool will demand more upfront fees for his signatures than what Como would for Paz, but then you get a Premier League-ready player who is capable of competing in multiple roles.
And even if Tottenham and Levy think about cashing out on Elliott, given his age and potential, he is definitely going to reap a premier price. While for Paz, even from a financial resale point of view, it all depends on whether he adapts in the Premier League.
Author Opinion
If Tottenham are in a mid-table project rebuild where they have that time and space to develop the raw talent of Nico Paz, then he is the more exciting choice. But the Lilywhites are a Champions League side that is under pressure to compete on all fronts under Thomas Frank, which suddenly makes Harvey Elliott an option that can deliver now while also having that similar developmental growth in the years to come.