According to a report by Football Transfer on Saturday October 24, 2026, since Bruno Fernandes's future at Old Trafford is uncertain, Manchester United are keeping an eye on Nico Paz, a midfielder from Como, as a potential replacement for the Portuguese captain in 2027.

The prospect of a successful conclusion to contract extension talks has been cast into doubt after Fernandes seemed to criticize manager Michael Carrick's tactics in the aftermath of United's 4-1 Champions League loss to Como last week.

On the other hand, Paz's stellar performances in Italy have garnered a lot of attention. His sensational performance against United solidified his position as a future star for a top European club.

Nicolo Schira, a source close to the transfer market, claims that Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United are all keeping tabs on the Argentine playmaker. Nonetheless, Como is hell-bent on keeping their highly regarded midfielder.

The fact that Real Madrid has a €80 million buy-back clause in Paz's contract gives them some sway as well, since they could possibly bring the youngster back to Spain.

Roberto Martinez, a former manager of Spain and current technical observer for UEFA, lauded Paz after the midfielder's impactful performance against Manchester United, praising his extraordinary quality and his capacity to motivate his teammates.

He was instrumental in the first three goals, scoring twice and setting up another. An A-lister does that. In describing Paz's remarkable performance, Martinez compared it to watching Maradona.

Martinez went on to say that the Argentine was a fantastic footballer, particularly noteworthy for his control and execution, and that he lauded the player's technical accuracy, poise, and composure.

Although Real Madrid's buy-back option seems to benefit them, signing Paz is fraught with difficulties, especially in light of his future with the club and his development as a player.

In 2024, Como paid €6 million to sign Paz away from Madrid. However, Madrid still has a €9 million buy-back option and a 50% sell-on clause. To guaranty his complete ownership, Como subsequently put in an additional €60 million.

When it comes to attacking midfield, where Jude Bellingham is still one of Madrid's top options, the biggest obstacle is the competition. The No. 10 position has been Paz's strong suit in Italy.

With Fernandes' future and form up in the air, Manchester United could provide a more defined route to the starting lineup. Therefore, the 22-year-old Argentine may find Old Trafford appealing due to the regular first-team opportunities.