Como's Nico Paz Becomes Serie A's Second Most Valuable Player at €80m

Como have written one of football's most improbable stories. nicolas-paz" class="entity-link entity-link--player">Nico Paz, their 21-year-old Argentine playmaker, now stands as Serie A's second most valuable player at €80 million, trailing only Inter Milan's Lautaro Martínez (€85m).

This marks the first time in history a Como player has reached the top two of Serie A valuations. The €15 million increase from €65m to €80m reflects Paz's extraordinary impact since joining from Real Madrid.

Como's Cinderella Story: From Serie B to Serie A's Elite

Como's transformation defies conventional football logic. After 21 years away from Italy's top flight, the club returned to Serie A for the 2024/25 season backed by Indonesian tobacco billionaires.

The Fabregas Factor

Manager Cesc Fabregas has created the perfect environment for young talent to flourish. Transfermarkt Area Manager Italy, Jatin Dietl, explains the impact:

Paz is the kind of player who escapes normality, who excites and lights up the game. He has the gift of talent and, most importantly, he is not wasting it. At 21 years old, the Argentine midfielder stands out for his natural elegance and vision.

The Spanish manager's philosophy has transformed Como from Serie B strugglers into a destination for Europe's brightest prospects. Beyond Paz, Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina has seen his value rise from €24m to €30m.

Smart Recruitment Paying Dividends

Como's recruitment strategy targets technical players who fit Fabregas's possession-based system. Dietl notes that Baturina represents exactly this profile:

Elegant, creative and technically outstanding, the Croatian midfielder has the rare ability to slow the game down and accelerate it again with a single touch. Como managed to sign one of the biggest talents produced by Dinamo Zagreb in recent years.

Both Paz and Baturina will feature at the 2026 World Cup, with Argentina and Croatia respectively, further elevating Como's profile.

The Paz Phenomenon and Real Madrid's Dilemma

Paz's rise creates a fascinating subplot involving Real Madrid. The Spanish giants sold him to Como but crucially retained a buyback clause worth €9-11 million, exercisable over the next three summers.

Technical Brilliance Sets Him Apart

What makes Paz special? Dietl provides insight into his unique qualities:

Rejecting normality in favour of creativity, he is showing his full potential and has become a true technical reference point for Como in Serie A. Under Cesc Fabregas, he had the perfect environment to grow, and now he is ready for the next step.

The Argentine's market value surge from €65m to €80m in a single update cycle demonstrates his rapid development. Dietl goes further, declaring Paz "the most talented player in the entire league, more complete and more consistent even than the highly talented Kenan Yıldız from Juventus."

Inter Milan's Interest Complicates Matters

Serie A champions Inter Milan have emerged as keen admirers of Paz. The Nerazzurri's interest creates a three-way tug-of-war:

• Como desperately want to keep their star asset
• Inter are "very eager" to sign him according to Dietl
• Real Madrid hold all the cards with their buyback option

Real Madrid's bargain buyback clause means they could theoretically re-sign Paz for €11m and immediately sell him for a profit of nearly €70m.

Market Corrections: Why Milan's Stars Are Losing Value

While Como celebrates unprecedented valuations, AC Milan faces the opposite trend. Both Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão have seen their market values drop in the latest update.

Leão's Stagnation at 27

Rafael Leão's decline particularly stings for Milan. Dietl explains the Portuguese winger's predicament:

At the beginning of the season, there was hope that Allegri's positional switch, from winger to centre-forward, would finally be the definitive breakthrough in a career shaped by talent and flashes of brilliance, but also by the feeling that Rafael Leão never fully reached his potential.

At nearly 27 years old, Leão can no longer trade on potential. The experiment of playing him centrally failed, and Milan reportedly plan to move on.

Broader Serie A Value Shifts

The market value adjustments reveal broader trends across Serie A:

• Alessandro Bastoni (Inter): Dropped from €70m to €65m due to age and reduced importance
• Yann Bisseck (Inter): Rose 25% from €40m to €50m, attracting Bayern Munich interest
• Petar Sučić (Inter): Jumped 33% from €30m to €40m ahead of the World Cup

These shifts reflect a clear pattern: young, technically gifted players are gaining value while established stars past their mid-twenties face corrections.

What Happens Next

Como's fairy tale faces its biggest test in keeping Paz beyond this season. Real Madrid's buyback clause looms large, potentially allowing them to profit massively from their initial sale. Inter Milan's interest adds another layer of complexity to negotiations.

For bettors and observers, these valuations signal where smart money sees football heading. Technical ability trumps physicality, youth beats experience, and clubs like Como prove that with the right manager and recruitment strategy, rapid transformation is possible.

The 2026 World Cup will provide another valuation checkpoint. Players like Paz, Baturina and Sučić could see further increases with strong performances, while those missing out face continued market corrections.