Arsenal learn transfer target could 'succeed' Messi – and it is not Alvarez

1 Oct 2026 17:54 BST |
2 min read

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Arsenal have been told summer target Nico Paz can succeed Lionel Messi by becoming the leader of the Argentina national team.

BBC Sport understands the Gunners held an interest in signing Paz in the summer transfer window, amid uncertainty of his club future.

Real Madrid wanted to activate an option to re-sign Paz from Como for €9million (£7.7m) before selling the 22-year-old for a huge fee.

However, Paz was keen to spend at least another season with Como, who – after lengthy talks with Real – were able to keep hold of Paz for €66m (£56.3m).

After extending his stay with Serie A side Como, the attacking midfielder has gone on to sparkle for Argentina during the international break.

Paz scored one and set up another as the three-time World Cup winners beat Bolivia 4-0 in their first game since Lionel Messi announced his international retirement.

Messi, Argentina’s leading goalscorer and appearance maker, will bow out in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, 7 October.

Amid speculation as to who could become the new talisman of Argentina, Spanish publication Diario AS believes Paz is a leading contender.

After recording a goal and an assist against Bolivia on Thursday, AS reporter Juan Lopesino penned a piece with the headline: “Nico Paz is the successor.”

Lopesino then wrote: “It was the first day of a new era [against Bolivia], and the spotlight was on Nico Paz in the build-up.

“(Lionel) Scaloni had handed him a starting role – coming right after the World Cup final and Messi’s farewell (though the latter will bid his final goodbye on the pitch next Tuesday) – and the Como attacking midfielder responded like the star he already is. He delivered a superb goal and an assist from a set-piece during his time on the field.

“Paz was highly active at the edge of the box, delivering precise balls into the area, but his moment of brilliance came just when others might have run out of ideas.

“He made a perfect run to latch onto a pass from (Exequiel) Palacios and produced a magnificent finish – subtle and precise.

“After the break – even though Argentina had eased off the gas following their tireless work off the ball – Paz stepped up again, delivering a perfect cross to Cuti (Cristian Romero), who finished with a precise shot across the goal.”

Paz will hope to get another opportunity to impress manager Scaloni when Argentina face Burkina Faso on Sunday before Messi’s farewell against Benin.

Arsenal meanwhile return to action when they entertain Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday, 10 October.

In addition to Paz, the north Londoners also pursued summer moves for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz.

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