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Andrea Berta has been urged to sign one of the most exciting young players in Europe ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid.
Owen Hargreaves has urged Arsenal to sign Nico Paz from Como. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has recently been linked with a move away from the Italian outfit following his impressive performances in the Serie A.
Paz, who attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, has featured 33 times across all competitions this season, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists. Playing a key role in Cesc Fabregas' side, the former Argentina international has helped Como climb into top four of the Serie A.
With eight games left to play, the Italian outfit have a three-point cushion in the UEFA Champions League qualification places. In an interview with TNT Sports, Hargreaves named Paz as somebody the Gunners should sign.
The former Manchester United legend midfielder claimed Arsenal need to bolster their attacking options, despite having spent nearly £200million on Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze last year. Hargreaves said: "There’s a young lad at Como, Nico Paz.
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"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."
According to Spanish outlet AS, when Real Madrid sold Nico Paz to Como in the summer of 2024 for little over €6m (£5.2m), a buy-back clause worth just €9m (£7.8m) was inserted into his contract. The Argentine has since developed into one of the most exciting young players in Europe.
Although Los Blancos hold all the cards, they already have a wealth of options in the forward positions. Earlier this month, the Como sporting director provided an update on Paz's future.
Speaking to Radio Radio Lo Spor, Carlalberto Ludi insisted that the playmaker is 'very happy' at the Italian outfit. As quoted by Goal, he said: "There’s a strong chance that Nico Paz will stay with us for another year."
Ludi added: "It’s always the same story; we can’t control what others want. We’re very happy with him and he’s very happy with us.
"Qualifying for European competition would work in our favour. The chances of him staying are still high today, despite the World Cup being a factor."
Fabregas has previously commented on Paz's future too. In November, when quizzed on interest from Real Madrid, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder said: "Rumours about Nico Paz and Real Madrid? Nothing to say.
"He is a Como player, he will stay with us, and then it will depend on what the other club decides. I’m not ruling out Nico being here next year as well. He is ambitious and can have a great football career, but why couldn’t he build that career here at Como?
"He has helped us grow and vice versa. It's evident. A person’s happiness is reflected in their eyes, and I believe he feels happy and comfortable here right now."
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