Lionel Messi fires Arsenal and Chelsea transfer message as Premier League clubs eye wonderkid

Lionel Messi has explained exactly why Premier League clubs are reportedly racing to sign one of Argentina's next big stars

Lionel Messi has heaped praise on Nico Paz, who's recently been linked with a move to the Premier League ahead of the January transfer window. The 20-year-old midfielder made his senior debut for Argentina during a 6-0 win over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

Paz, who joined Como from Real Madrid in the summer, replaced Lautaro Martinez with a quarter of an hour left to play. Shortly after coming on, Lionel Scaloni's side netted their fifth of the evening before the youngster teed up Messi for the sixth.

Argentina remain top of the CONMEBOL group. Speaking to reporters after the game, as quoted by Goal, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said: "We played very well between the lines, at a high level.

"Now Nico Paz has made his debut, and he has a lot of quality and I hope he continues to grow. He wasn't born when I made my debut in Primera, yes, I knew (laughs). He has a great head.

"He understands the game perfectly and I hope he continues like this. He played, he enjoyed it and I think he'll feel comfortable in this team because he likes having the ball."

Paz, who sees his contract expire in June 2028, has featured six times for Como in the Serie A this season, providing three assists. Playing a key role in Cesc Fabregas' side, the newly-promoted Italian outfit seem to have distanced themselves from a relegation scrap.

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According to TBR Football, Arsenal and Chelsea are among several clubs closely monitoring Paz's performances. The report states that 'more than half a dozen Premier League sides' showed an interest in the Argentinean prior to his move to Italy from Spain.

TBR Football add, though, that Real Madrid have a buy-back clause and a 'major' sell-on in the youngster's contract. Fabregas has previously described the Arsenal and Chelsea target as an 'exciting talent'.

Speaking to the Como club website in the summer, the Spaniard also confirmed that there was a long list of clubs chasing Paz's signature. He said: "There has been a lot of interest in Nico from other clubs and not surprisingly.

"Every minute he was given on the pitch last season with some of the best players in the world he took advantage of to show what he could do and made an impact. He’s an exciting talent, left-footed, great on the wing and in the middle and am looking forward to working with him."

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