Como take a bold swing: €25m move lined up for La Liga forward
Dropping €25 million on a single signing would be a statement for any club. For Como, a team still settling into life back in Serie A, it would be a line in the sand. Manager Cesc Fàbregas is driving that push, zeroing in on a high-profile La Liga striker as his last big move of the window, with talks described as advanced and the clock ticking toward the September 1 deadline.
The plan follows a busy month at the lake. Gabriel Strefezza has left for Olympiakos, creating a gap in the front line. In came Spain captain Álvaro Morata on a season-long loan from AC Milan, a deal Fàbregas embraced the second it was on the table. “He’s an intelligent striker who delivers in big moments,” the manager said, praising a player he’s known for years. Morata’s arrival gives Como a proven reference point up top. But it hasn’t closed the door on another scorer.
That’s where La Liga comes in. Fàbregas knows the terrain from his Barcelona days and has leaned on that network. The target’s identity is still under wraps, but people around the deal expect a forward with top-flight pedigree, not a prospect. Given the fee, the player would be asked to start quickly, share the load with Morata, and raise the team’s ceiling in tight games.
Why now? Como want to build on last season’s 10th-place finish—impressive for a team back in the top division—and avoid hitting a wall in the second half of the campaign. Strefezza’s departure didn’t just remove a name from the team sheet; it took out a runner who stretched defenses and chipped in with goals. Add the grind of a long season, and the logic is clear: two reliable scorers reduce risk.
Fàbregas has earned credit inside the club for his structure and man-management. He retired in 2023 after joining Como as a player in August 2022 and stepped straight into the dugout. Since then, he’s pushed a style built on control and quick combinations. The attack works best when there’s movement around the No. 9, with wide forwards cutting inside and midfielders arriving late. A La Liga striker comfortable linking play and attacking space would fit that picture.
So what exactly are Como chasing? The shortlist, from what we can gather, filters candidates by profile rather than reputation:
- A forward who can play as a No. 9 but also drift wide to combine with Morata.
- Good off-the-ball work—pressing triggers matter in Fàbregas’s setup.
- Reliable availability; this isn’t a spot for a player who needs months to ramp up.
- Finishing under pressure, especially late in games when Como tend to create a few high-quality chances.
There’s also the money. €25 million is a major outlay for a club of Como’s size. Expect a structured deal: a base fee with add-ons tied to appearances, goals, and league position, plus a sell-on clause to protect value. Wages will be capped to keep the dressing room in balance, which is why the club prefer a player still on the way up or one open to a fresh challenge rather than a late-career star chasing a payday.
The timing matters. With a deadline landing on September 1, Como need everything lined up: agreement between clubs, personal terms, medicals, and registration. Any delay bumps the debut back after the international break, which cuts into early-season rhythm. The staff would like the player training with the group as soon as possible—pairing sessions with Morata to build patterns and set-piece roles.
The Morata effect shouldn’t be underestimated. A senior international with big-game experience changes the standard on the training pitch. It also shifts how opponents defend. With Morata occupying center-backs, the incoming forward could find space between the lines or attack the back post. In matches where Morata is managed for minutes, the new signing would lead the line and set the press from the front.
Fàbregas is pragmatic about fit. He has toggled between shapes depending on opponent and personnel, using a single striker with two narrow wingers or a front two in moments when chasing a goal. The new arrival would give him flexibility: start together with Morata against deep blocks, or rotate in when Como need more pace in behind. It’s less about a shiny name and more about solving in-game problems.
There’s always the risk that a late-window deal drags or collapses. La Liga clubs often hold out for better terms once a bidder shows real intent, and agents try to leverage the interest into higher wages. Como’s stance, according to people familiar with the talks, is clear: they’ll pay for the right player, not just a player. If the price or conditions spiral, they’ll pivot to a loan with an option to buy rather than force a permanent move.
Fans have already seen the difference a smart signing can make. Last season’s climb up the table came from a mix of clear roles and a handful of additions who hit the ground running. This time, the bar is higher. The dressing room has leaders now, and there’s a core that understands the manager’s demands. A second striker with La Liga sharpness doesn’t just add goals; it adds solutions when Plan A stalls.
What happens next? If talks stay on track, expect movement quickly—travel for a medical, images at the training ground, and the usual first-week conditioning work. If there’s a snag, Como will have backup names ready to go before the deadline slams shut. Either way, the strategy is the same: protect the balance of the squad, keep the budget sane, and give Fàbregas the tools for another step forward.
For a club that used to watch windows drift by, this is a different look. The coaching staff has a clear voice, recruitment is aligned, and the targets fit the way Como want to play. If the €25m plan lands, they’ll enter the autumn with two centerpieces up front and a deeper bench. If it doesn’t, they won’t be left scrambling. That, more than anything, shows how far they’ve come.
The stakes before September 1
Deadline pressure can warp a market, but it also creates openings. La Liga sides needing cash may prefer a clean sale now rather than a loan that kicks the can to January. Como are trying to thread that needle—move fast, keep leverage, and lock down a striker who fits today and still holds value tomorrow. It’s ambitious, and it’s calculated, which is exactly how Fàbregas wants his team to play.
