Revealed: How Real Madrid derailed Tottenham's €70m bid for Nico Paz as Como star in line for bargain switch back to La Liga giants

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Real are interested in bringing back Paz from Como next summer and are ready to bargain about the Serie A club's asking price, despite having a buy-back clause worth €10 million. Apart from the buy-back option, Real also have a 50% sell-on clause for the Argentine midfielder.

After Arsenal hijacked Spurs' bid for Eberechi Eze last week, Thomas Frank's team were forced to navigate other options. One such player who fit their bill was Paz, and the club submitted an official €70m (£61m/$82m) bid, including add-ons, through intermediaries to Como for his signature. Spurs could have offered him exposure in the Champions League, but Paz wants to stay at Como and the club also want him to stay. Meanwhile, Real have entered the game and assured Como that they will be matching any bid for the player, thus throwing out the buy-back clause from the equation, and in the process, maintaining the positive relationship they enjoy with Como.

Real were expected to trigger Paz's buy-back clause this summer itself, but they went on to sign Franco Mastantuono from River Plate, someone who, at 18, has integrated well into Xabi Alonso's system and enjoyed a start against Real Oviedo as well.

Paz, who has been an influential figure at Como under Fabregas, scored and assisted once in his club's Serie A opener against Lazio at the weekend. He will be continuing at the club this term.