Arsenal have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Como midfield starlet Nico Paz, who is thriving under the wing of former Gunner Cesc Fabregas.
The 20-year-old was previously on the books at Real Madrid's youth academy from 2016 to 2024 but never established himself as a first-team regular, only scoring once in eight appearances.
Paz was subsequently sold to Italian upstarts Como for just €6m (£5m) in the summer transfer window and has quickly adapted to life in Serie A with one goal and four assists in 11 appearances.
Paz sent tongues wagging with a pair of assists in a 3-2 win over title-chasing Atalanta BC in September, but Fabregas's men have since hit a rough patch of form and lie 15th in the table.
Como have the 20-year-old under contract until the summer of 2028, but they are just one point clear of the relegation zone and may find it difficult to retain Paz's services if they are demoted straight back down to Serie B.
Arsenal 'keeping a close eye' on Paz displays
© Imago
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Arsenal are one of the teams to have shown an interest in signing Paz, who also made his debut for the senior Argentina team last month.
The Gunners have severely struggled on the creativity front in recent times, losing to Inter Milan, Bournemouth and Newcastle United away from home without scoring a single goal.
The common denominator in all of those matches was the absence of captain Martin Odegaard from the starting lineup, as the Norwegian worked his way back from September's serious ankle injury.
However, Odegaard came back into the first XI with a bang on Sunday evening, setting up Gabriel Martinelli's opener in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League, although that result made it four top-flight games without a win for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta's men can therefore be considered rank outsiders for the title, as they have a nine-point gap to make up to leaders Liverpool and are five points below Manchester City in second place.
Paz signing to trigger Fabio Vieira exit?
© Imago
If Arsenal's recent lack of ingenuity during Odegaard's absence has shown one thing, it is that letting both of Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira leave in the same transfer window was a huge mistake.
The former is now thriving at his new home in Fulham, while Vieira has not been able to reignite his career back on loan at Porto, only setting up one goal in nine games so far.
It is difficult to envisage Vieira truly making a name for himself at Arsenal while Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are around, so he could very well head out the exit door permanently next summer to make space for Paz.
The Gunners are not likely to land the latter without a fight, though, as the report adds that 'several' top clubs around Europe are keeping a close eye on his displays for Como this season.
Ben Knapton
