In the wake of James Maddison’s unfortunate injury, Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly submitted a €40 million bid to Como for the promising Serie A star, Nico Paz. Maddison, who suffered an ACL tear during a pre-season clash with Newcastle, will be sidelined for the majority of the upcoming season, leaving the North Londoners with a crucial gap in their midfield.
With Thomas Frank at the helm, Spurs have been actively seeking a suitable replacement to fill Maddison’s boots. While Premier League talents such as Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey have come under consideration, reports from Italy suggest that Nico Paz, the young Argentine plying his trade at Como, has captured Tottenham’s attention.
Paz, 20, caught the eye with his performances in Italy last season after joining from Real Madrid, where he had a stint at their academy and even made eight first-team league appearances during the 2023-24 campaign. According to the well-connected Gianluca Di Marzio, Tottenham’s €40 million approach has been turned down by Como, who are managed by former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas. The Italian outfit are holding out for a valuation closer to €70 million, largely due to a 50% sell-on clause benefiting Real Madrid.
Interestingly, Daily Mirror journalist Ryan Taylor reports that Tottenham sources have denied any formal bid for Paz. Meanwhile, with Dejan Kulusevski also out of action as the new season approaches, Spurs are keeping close tabs on Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, the latter potentially priced at around £45 million.
Additional candidates on Tottenham’s shortlist include Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, as the Europa League title-holders intensify their search for midfield reinforcements.
Maddison’s recurrent injury woes are a familiar tale for Spurs since his arrival in 2023. Having missed significant game time over the past two seasons with various injuries, the club has announced that the 28-year-old will undergo surgery imminently.
“James Maddison is set to have surgery for his ruptured ACL, which he picked up against Newcastle United during our pre-season friendly in Seoul,” read an official statement from Tottenham. “The surgery will occur in the coming days, followed by a period of rehabilitation. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is behind James, supporting him throughout his recovery process.”
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