Tottenham submit bid for “impressive” attacker to replace Maddison, club reply – Sky journalist
The devastating news of James Maddison’s ACL injury has forced Tottenham into urgent action, with the club submitting a £35 million offer for Como’s rising star Nico Paz as Thomas Frank scrambles to rebuild his depleted attacking options.
The 20-year-old Argentine, who flourished under Cesc Fàbregas last season with 6 goals and 9 assists in Serie A, represents both an exciting prospect and a calculated gamble for a Spurs side suddenly devoid of creative firepower.
Tottenham’s attacking crisis has reached critical levels with three key absences:
| Tottenham’s Missing Attacking Trio | Impact |
|---|---|
| James Maddison (ACL injury) | Creative hub, 6.98 avg rating last season |
| Son Heung-min (LAFC transfer) | 7.00 avg rating, club legend departed |
| Dejan Kulusevski (knee surgery recovery) | 6.83 avg rating, versatile attacking threat |
Como’s immediate rejection of Tottenham’s opening bid signals a challenging negotiation ahead, with the newly-promoted Serie A side holding firm on their £61 million valuation.
The London club must now decide whether to nearly double their offer for a player with just one full senior campaign under his belt, despite glowing endorsements from none other than Lionel Messi himself.
Paz’s pedigree suggests he could thrive under pressure – his Real Madrid academy roots and Champions League experience at just 19 demonstrate comfort on big stages.
Yet the proposed fee would place him among Tottenham’s top five most expensive signings, a staggering outlay for a player who only established himself as a starter last season.
The situation highlights the domino effect of Tottenham’s failed £50 million move for Morgan Gibbs-White last month, with that collapsed deal now appearing disastrous following Maddison’s injury.
While Jack Grealish remains an alternative target, Manchester City’s demands and Everton’s concurrent negotiations complicate that pursuit, leaving Paz as arguably the most attainable high-ceiling option available.
Frank faces an agonizing decision – meet Como’s steep demands for a relative unknown, pursue more established but expensive alternatives like Grealish, or risk starting the season with severely limited creativity.
With the UEFA Super Cup against PSG looming and Premier League action shortly after, Tottenham’s next move could define their entire campaign before it’s properly begun.
One thing is certain – the absence of Maddison’s vision and Son’s clinical finishing leaves a void that no single player can easily fill, making this perhaps the most critical transfer decision of Tottenham’s summer.