Real Madrid target fuels Barcelona transfer speculation

Nico Paz has fuelled recent Barcelona transfer rumours by naming one of the club's current stars as his dream teammate, despite his past affiliation with Real Madrid.

Tenerife-born Paz spent eight years with Madrid after joining the academy aged 12. But after eight first-team appearances last season, the young attacker was sold to ambitious Serie A side Como.

His 13 goals and assists in Serie A have impressed in Como's first top flight season in 21 years.

Paz himself hasn't downplayed links with fierce rivals Barcelona, though, admitting that Lamine Yamal, rather any former Madrid teammate, is the player he would most like to play with.

"I've been lucky enough to play for Real Madrid, the best team in the world, to play with Vinicius [Junior] and [Jude] Bellingham...to name a few," he told ComoTV.

"I'm sticking with Lamine Yamal, who for me is now one of the best in the world...and at his age. The truth is I'd really like to play with him."

Paz, although born and raised in Spain, represents Argentina at international level. So the only way for him to link up with Yamal would be at club level – and Yamal isn't joining Como.

The 20-year-old already has a relationship with a Barcelona icon, as he is able to link up with Lionel Messi when he made his senior Argentina debut during the first half of this season.

"Playing alongside Messi was the best moment of my life so far," he said. "It was crazy to be able to assist the greatest player in history. Assisting in my debut. At Leo's age, I thought I'd never get to play alongside him again. I'm happy and grateful to have experienced that moment."

Whether Barcelona, still hampered by financial limitations, could afford Paz is another matter.

The rock-bottom price set by the buy-back clause is exclusively reserved for Madrid, with Como able to ask for anything they want from any other club. It's also unlikely that Madrid would sit idly by, while in possession of a buy-back clause, if Barcelona were to launch an approach.

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