Sources: Why football’s “next superstar” snubbed Chelsea & Arsenal transfer interest

Mar 29, 2026 - 15:00
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Sources: Why football’s “next superstar” snubbed Chelsea & Arsenal transfer interest

Chelsea and Arsenal registered an interest in the transfer of Nico Paz, but he always intended to return to Real Madrid after his spell at Como, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.

Los Blancos will activate their buy-back clause for the 21-year-old this summer, despite other top clubs also asking about his situation.

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Real Madrid now plan to build around someone they believe will be one of the game’s next big things next season after seeing off competition from the Premier League.

Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City all enquired about this superb talent, only to be told in no uncertain terms that his only intention was to return to Real Madrid.

Sources close to Real Madrid tell me that “Paz only ever wanted to come back to Real Madrid. He’s been promised a key first-team role. They believe he’s the next superstar of world football.”

Nico Paz Premier League transfer snub revealed by sources

I’m also told that Paz had interest from other big clubs, with the 21-year-old having been firmly on Chelsea’s radar for some time.

I first reported here back in September that Chelsea were expected to push for Paz, and I’m told that an enquiry was indeed made, but was unsuccessful.

Sources in the industry have since informed me that Chelsea were not alone, with Arsenal and Manchester City also looking into Paz’s situation and also being turned down by the Argentina international.

“Chelsea were really keen to sign Paz, he’s just the kind of profile they’re looking for,” my source said. “Arsenal and Man City have also watched him and been very impressed. Real Madrid have done really well to secure his future.”

What next for Nico Paz?

Paz initially looked like struggling to break into the Real Madrid team in his first spell at the Bernabeu, but the club always felt there was a big chance he could raise his game with more experience.

With time, that’s precisely what’s happened with the talented young playmaker during his time in Serie A, and the €9m buy-back clause looks like an absolute bargain for a player many in the game feel will soon be worth €100m or more.

Paz has 17 goals in 68 games in all competitions in his two seasons with Como, drawing comparisons with Barcelona midfield gem Pedri.

It’s not been the best season for Real Madrid this term, so they’ll hope that Paz can come back and make a big impact, perhaps as an upgrade on the likes of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, who have not really performed consistently enough.

The post Sources: Why football’s “next superstar” snubbed Chelsea & Arsenal transfer interest appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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