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The Blockbuster £60m Wonderkid Transfer Hijack That Could See Chelsea Gatecrash Tottenham’s Summer
The Situation Unfolds
Tottenham are scrambling to replace creative heartbeat James Maddison, who has sustained a serious ACL injury that threatens to sideline him for most of the upcoming season . Enter Nico Paz—a 20-year-old attacking midfielder from Como, once part of Real Madrid’s academy, who impressed with six goals and eight assists in Serie A last season .
Spurs reportedly approached Como with an opening offer of around €40 million (£35 million), but were rebuffed; the Italian side is holding out for closer to €70 million (£60 million) .
Now, speculation is mounting that Chelsea could swoop in. While Spurs aim to move quickly amid their creative crisis, Chelsea’s blueprint of snapping up promising young talents aligns perfectly with a target like Nico Paz .
Why Chelsea Might Intervene
Chelsea remain active in the market despite already pursuing other attacking reinforcements, including Xavi Simons. However, should those negotiations falter, Paz represents a high-upside, cost-saving option—potentially allowing them to outmaneuver Tottenham and capitalize on mutual interest .
Key Financial Roadblocks
A significant complicating factor is a hefty 50% sell-on clause held by Real Madrid, dramatically inflating the transfer price for Como and making negotiations even more delicate . This could deter one or both suitors, or lead to drawn-out back-and-forth in the coming days.
If Chelsea has pockets deep enough to navigate the inflated valuation—and sees Paz as part of a longer-term project—they might pounce. Meanwhile, Spurs are running short on time and alternatives for creativity in midfield .
What Happens Next?
Spurs must decide whether to meet Como’s valuation amid rising financial pressure and tight market windows, or pivot to alternatives like Jack Grealish, Eberechi Eze, or Harvey Elliott .
Chelsea may monitor the row from afar, waiting in the wings to hijack the deal or move swiftly if Spurs falter.
Como and Real Madrid’s sell-on terms remain the wildcard that could make or break this negotiation.
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Bottom line: This isn’t just another transfer rumour—this is a high-stakes, game-of-chicken scenario between two London giants. Will Chelsea snatch Pau’s signature before Spurs finalize theirs, or will Tottenham secure the midfield re
inforcement they desperately need?
