Arsenal are monitoring Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz ahead of a potential January 2027 move, according to reports, as Mikel Arteta’s side continue to assess ways to improve an already strong squad. The 22-year-old has emerged as one of Serie A’s most exciting young creators since leaving Real Madrid for Como.

The transfer, however, is complicated by Real Madrid. Como completed a €60 million deal for Paz this summer, but Madrid retained an €80 million buyback option that becomes active in summer 2027. That gives the Spanish club significant control over his future.

Paz’s decision to remain at Como rather than return to Madrid has already paid dividends. He has become central to Cesc Fàbregas’ project and helped Como reach the Champions League. He also produced 12 goals and six assists in Serie A last season and has started this season brightly.

Is Nico Paz actually necessary for Arsenal?

The short answer is not immediately. Arsenal already has Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze competing for the advanced midfield role, while Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi, and Bruno Guimarães give Arteta considerable depth behind them. 

Ødegaard, who is also the team’s captain, has also started the season strongly, scoring several goals, including the winner against Napoli in their opening Champions League match. That makes Paz more of a strategic signing than an emergency one, in that Arsenal would be buying another elite creative profile rather than simply filling an obvious hole.

Who would Nico Paz replace?

The most logical comparison is Ødegaard, but Paz should not be viewed as his immediate replacement. Instead, he could become the long-term alternative to the Arsenal captain while also operating alongside him. Paz is naturally left-footed, comfortable between the lines, and capable of carrying the ball through pressure.

His dribbling is one of his standout qualities, and his previous Como numbers demonstrate that he can contribute goals as well as chances. That could give Arteta something Arsenal occasionally lack: a midfielder who can break a defensive structure individually rather than relying entirely on combinations.

How would Paz improve Arsenal?

Ball carrying is probably the biggest attraction of a Nico Paz presence in Arsenal’s midfield. Paz can receive in crowded areas and turn and attack space. That matters for Arsenal because opponents increasingly defend deep against them, reducing the space available for traditional transitions. His creativity could also make Arsenal less dependent on Ødegaard to connect midfield and attack.

There is another advantage: age and upside. Paz is young enough to develop inside Arteta’s system while already possessing considerable Serie A experience. His price tag, however, may be a stumbling block. Paz is exciting, but Arsenal do not need to spend €80 million simply because an outstanding young player is available.

Real Madrid’s buyback clause also means Arsenal could find themselves negotiating around Madrid rather than simply with Como. Paz is good enough. The bug question is whether he offers something sufficiently different from Ødegaard and Eze to justify a major investment.

Pape Matar Sarr has completed a deadline-day move to Juventus, joining the Serie A side on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could eventually become permanent.

The initial loan has cost Juventus €2.8 million, with an obligatory purchase clause worth €27.5 million. The clause will be activated if Juventus qualifies for either the Champions League or Europa League and Sarr appears in 50% of the matches available to him.

Juventus find midfield depth with Pape Sarr

Sarr’s arrival comes after Juventus had looked to add greater reliability to their midfield. The Bianconeri had been interested in bringing Franck Kessié back to Serie A, but although the midfielder has returned to Italy, he opted for a second spell with Atalanta instead.

That leaves Sarr as another midfield option for a Juventus side that will need additional legs throughout the campaign. The 23-year-old already has more than 100 Premier League appearances and over 40 senior caps for Senegal, giving him a considerable amount of experience despite his age.

The former Metz player had been highly regarded during his time in North London, but he spent the summer seeking a departure. His opportunities had decreased towards the end of last season following his return from a shoulder injury, while the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes pushed him further down the Tottenham pecking order.

Sarr faces competition at Juventus

Moving to Juventus does not necessarily mean Sarr will immediately become a regular starter. The midfielder is unlikely to be the first name on the team sheet, while Juventus also cannot expect him to provide the same level of midfield control that Kessié would have offered.

Even so, the agreement represents a relatively low-risk move that could benefit everyone involved. Juventus gets another option in the middle of the pitch, while Sarr has an opportunity to demonstrate what he can offer in a different environment.

Pape Sarr brings midfield versatility

Sarr has developed a reputation as a flexible midfielder who can operate in both deeper and more advanced positions, although the No. 8 role remains his strongest position.

His ability to resist pressure has often been questioned, but his movement, positioning and pressing have earned praise throughout his spells with Metz and Tottenham. His ability to establish himself in Ange Postecoglou’s Premier League side also underlined his capacity to perform in high-intensity matches.

Serie A gives Sarr room to develop

Serie A could provide Sarr with an opportunity to address some of the weaknesses in his game while making the most of his existing qualities. The slower tempo and more cerebral nature of the Italian league could give him the platform to continue developing as a midfielder.

Luciano Spalletti may have opportunities to use him, particularly during the opening half of the season, allowing Sarr to demonstrate his value and show how much he can improve. Whether that is enough to convince Juventus to keep him permanently should become apparent before the decisive stages of the campaign.

Leeds United have confirmed that Willy Gnonto has completed a loan move to Fiorentina, with the agreement including an option to buy. The overall package is worth €21m, covering the loan fee, potential future transfer fee, and add-ons.

The Italy international returns to his home country after Leeds allowed him to travel to Italy on Monday to complete the move. Gnonto was subsequently pictured wearing Fiorentina training gear as the deal moved toward completion.

Willy Gnonto completes Fiorentina loan move

Leeds were prepared to let Gnonto leave only if they could bring in another attacker before the transfer deadline. The club are therefore working on a deal for France Under-21 winger Jean Matteo-Bahoya, who currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Gnonto joined Leeds in August 2022 and went on to become an important part of the squad. He made just under 150 appearances for the club during his time at Elland Road.

Leeds United winger leaves after promotion campaign

The forward played a key role in Leeds’ successful 2024/25 Championship campaign, scoring nine goals and registering six assists as the club won the Championship title.

Last season, Gnonto made 29 appearances across all competitions. His contributions helped Leeds remain in the Premier League, while the club also reached the FA Cup semi-finals.

Fiorentina add Gnonto to their squad

Fiorentina will now have Gnonto available as they look to improve on their 15th-place finish in Serie A last season. The Italian club is currently led by Fabio Grosso.

The Viola had also reached the UEFA Conference League semi-finals during the previous campaign, giving the club another target to build on as they prepare for the new season.

Leeds looks to replace Gnonto before deadline

While Gnonto begins the next stage of his career in Florence, Leeds are continuing their search for an attacking replacement. Their interest in Jean Matteo-Bahoya is part of the club’s efforts to ensure they can cover the departure.

For Fiorentina, the deal brings Gnonto back to Italy on a temporary basis, with the option to make the move permanent included in the agreement.