(credit: imago)

Real Madrid 'in charge' as Tottenham look to sign Nico Paz

Kyrenia is a lifelong Tottenham fan who has been writing for Tottenham News since she joined Breaking Media in 2025. She will graduate with a Master's in Sports Journalism from St Mary's University, Twickenham in 2025. She spent several months working for the Non-League Paper and has written for the Sports Gazette. Her earliest memory of the Lilywhites is sitting alone in her dad's room in front of the telly crying into her bowl of popcorn as she watched as her team were thrashed...yet again. She is happy to report that fonder memories have since blossomed.

Published on:

08 Aug 2025, 1:40 pm

Tottenham will have to get past Real Madrid to sign Como midfielder Nico Paz this summer.

Daniel Levy is keen to add another midfielder to his squad, especially now that James Maddison will be sidelined for most of next season.

Paz has been identified as a viable transfer target this summer. However, Real Madrid look set to make things difficult.

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison places his hand on his head.

Maddison has suffered an ACL injury at Tottenham (Credit: Imago)

This article includes exclusive comments from Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham.

Tottenham unlikely to bypass Madrid for Paz

According to Gianluca Di Marzio (7 August), Tottenham have seen a bid of £34.7million rejected by Como for Paz.

The promising youngster transferred to the Italian side from Real Madrid last summer and recorded six goals and nine assists in what was a stand-out season in Serie A.

Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists
2024/25	35	6	9

Paz's stats last season

However, Real Madrid have a buyback clause, and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes the Spanish giants are unlikely to let Paz slip through their fingers.

“Real Madrid have a buyback of £6.9m this summer and £7.8m next summer," Wenham said.

"Therefore, there is no way they are going to watch Como pocket £70m and not do anything about it.

“It doesn't work like that. Real Madrid are in charge of the situation. At the end of the day, even if what was reported was credible, we've offered £30m under the asking price.

“It's a nonstarter. It's really straightforward. Paz won't be happening. I think we can rule that one out.”

Tottenham could use Pape Matar Sarr as their 10

While Tottenham are keen on bringing a 10 into the fold, the London club may already have their man at home.

Pape Matar Sarr has featured regularly for Thomas Frank during pre-season and even started as Spurs' 10 during a heavy 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich (7 August).

Harry Kane scores for Bayern 12 minutes into the first half
Kingsley Coman scores Bayern's second in the 61st minute
Bayern's third and fourth are scored six minutes apart by youngsters Lennart Karl (74') and Jonah Kusi-Asare (80')

While that experiment did not amount to much, Sarr has demonstrated in previous games that he could embrace the role with a little fine-tuning. Therefore, Spurs could be heading into the new season with Sarr as their 10 in a matter of days.

Sign up for the daily Tottenham News newsletter on Substack and our new WhatsApp channel to have all the latest, breaking Tottenham Hotspur news sent straight to your phone.

Nico Paz