Fabrizio Romano details audacious Tottenham move for ex-Real Madrid playmaker
Tottenham Hotspur have moved quickly to act on their long-standing interest in a former Real Madrid talent, with Fabrizio Romano providing new insight into the club’s ambitious but complicated pursuit of an alternative to Eberechi Eze.
Spurs had been in pole position to land Eze, with both Crystal Palace and the player giving approval to a proposed transfer worth in excess of £60 million. However, their hopes were crushed at the final hurdle when London rivals Arsenal swooped in. The Gunners, in urgent need of attacking reinforcements following Kai Havertz’s injury, hijacked the deal by offering Palace more favourable financial terms – including quicker installments and more attainable add-ons. For Eze, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, the choice was straightforward. He turned down Spurs at the very last moment and sealed his switch across North London.
Missing out on a player they were so close to signing has dealt Tottenham a painful blow. Yet, the team has shown they will not dwell on disappointment. Ange Postecoglou’s men responded in emphatic fashion over the weekend, defeating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium to climb to the top of the Premier League table. Remarkably, Spurs have kept back-to-back clean sheets in their opening fixtures, showing solidity at the back while continuing their aggressive pursuit of attacking upgrades.
The club’s recruitment strategy is clear: they want to bring in both a dynamic winger and a creative No. 10 before the transfer deadline. Savinho of Manchester City remains the leading candidate for the wide role, though City have been reluctant sellers. For the playmaker position, Spurs have now turned their attention abroad, with reports from The Times and The Telegraph confirming that Argentine starlet Nico Paz has emerged as a priority target. Spanish outlet Marca even claimed that Spurs are preparing a formal bid for the youngster.
Paz, 21, joined Serie A side Como from Real Madrid last summer and quickly became one of Italy’s brightest young stars. He contributed six goals and nine assists during his debut campaign and was voted the league’s best player under the age of 23. Despite his rapid rise, Real Madrid opted not to trigger their buy-back option this summer, instead leaving the door open for other clubs to explore a move.
However, Romano has cautioned that Tottenham’s pursuit will not be straightforward. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“Tottenham made contact today for Nico Paz, but this is a very complicated deal. Como will not sell for €40m, €45m, or even €50m. They want a much higher fee – closer to what Spurs were ready to pay for Eze. At the same time, Real Madrid still maintain a great deal of control over the player’s future. They hold a 50 percent sell-on clause, matching rights, and three separate buy-back clauses for the coming years. So any negotiations will not only involve Como and the player’s representatives but also Real Madrid, which makes the process extremely complex.”
Romano also pointed out that Como’s manager, former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, has been reassured by the club’s owners that key players like Paz would not be sold this summer. That promise was one of the main reasons he rejected offers from bigger clubs such as Inter Milan to remain in charge. Unless Tottenham present a bid that Como simply cannot refuse, the likelihood of prising Paz away before the window shuts remains slim.
In case their pursuit of Paz stalls, Spurs are monitoring other potential playmaker options. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is admired but considered virtually unattainable at this stage of the window, with Villa determined to keep him. A more realistic alternative is Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, the 22-year-old French attacking midfielder who is seen as an emerging talent and could be available at a more accessible price point.
Tottenham’s determination to secure a new creative force highlights their ambition to maintain momentum at the top of the Premier League. While losing Eze to Arsenal was a bitter setback, the North London side remain firmly active in the market and appear ready to spend big again in their search for the right No. 10 to complete Ange Postecoglou’s project.