Why £70m Real Madrid clause could actually help Chelsea sign Lionel Messi’s potential heir

It has been a few weeks since Emi Martinez suggested Nico Paz could become Argentina’s next no.10 after Lionel Messi’s retirement – and since then, Chelsea have sent scouts to watch him.

Martinez commented on Paz’s Instagram during the previous international break, suggesting he could end up wearing Messi’s iconic no.10 shirt. Paz scored in Messi’s final game for Argentina against Benin.

Our predicted Chelsea XI for Wednesday's cup tie with Liverpool – tell us what you would change 👇

Little surprise, given Paz has already had a hand in 11 goals in 11 games this season. Against Torino, he produced a magical cross for Jacobo Ramon to equalise, before showing his prowess in the air to score.

Paz has it all, and he proved that against Torino. TeamTalk say any interested party must spend £100m to tempt Como, while Real Madrid have a small window to execute a £70m buyback clause next July.

It is right to think Madrid will simply exercise that clause and sign Paz, getting a £100m player on the cheap. But actually, that clause could play into Chelsea’s hands – and force Como into a big-money sale.

After all, if Como are offered £100m by Chelsea – which is a real possibility, according to TeamTalk – then why would they reject such an offer when they’ll inevitably be forced into a sale that’s £30m cheaper?

If there was no clause in Paz’s contract, obviously that gives Como the upper hand and they are in control. But given Paz’s stunning form – he is FotMob’s highest-rated player in Serie A – an exit seems inevitable.

That form will surely convince Real Madrid to activate that clause. If Como face a choice between £70m from Madrid next July and a £100m offer from Chelsea in January, it makes sense to sell to Chelsea.

The extra £30m could prove too tempting to turn down, particularly if Como believe Madrid will exercise their buyback option. It gives them a bigger war chest to replace him, which they will inevitably have to.

Como are desperate to keep him, but when the lure of playing for one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, or Real Madrid, comes to the fore, it will be tough to turn down. Paz has a big decision to make.

So do Como. If Madrid’s intention is to activate that clause, then it is in Como’s interest to accept a bigger offer from another club in January, or before July. Chelsea have a window to test Como’s £100m resolve.