While the Hartono family’s vast resources facilitate their spending, Como’s investments are strategically spread across creative deals, deferred payments, and future buy-out clauses.
Once again, Como are making headlines in the transfer market, having invested over €100 million in a single window, securing five significant signings. With their historic debut in the Champions League this season, the club’s hierarchy has been forced to abandon caution and scepticism, committing a budget comparable to the league’s elite. This isn’t a reckless gamble, but a meticulously planned business strategy. While the Hartono family’s immense resources undoubtedly facilitate this spending, the club’s approach remains consistent with previous transfer windows: investments are shrewdly spread across creative deals, deferred payments, and future buy-out clauses. This strategy prevents immediate financial strain on the club, yet still provides manager Fabregas with a deep, top-tier squad capable of handling the unprecedented and demanding two-game-a-week schedule. Soon, perhaps as early as next summer, when the club falls under UEFA’s financial fair play regulations, they will also begin to focus on player sales. Generating capital gains is simpler with younger players. As President Suwarso has frequently stated, the long-term project aims for self-sustainability within a few years.
The new ‘old’ strategy
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The crown jewel of this transfer window, and a clear statement of the club’s ambitions, is Nico Paz. The Argentine prodigy, following protracted and intricate negotiations involving clauses and counter-offers with Real Madrid, has been secured on a permanent deal for €60 million. However, Como’s European-level squad building extends beyond their talented attacking midfielder. The defensive flanks have been immediately bolstered to international standards: Yan Couto is arriving from Dortmund for the right side, a dynamic and attacking full-back valued at €20 million, perfectly suited to Fabregas’s ultra-offensive style of play. Similarly, on the left, another Brazilian, Kaiki, has been signed for €12 million, with the definitive purchase option, like Couto’s, set for one year’s time. The timing was also impeccable for the two release clauses paid to secure the experienced Spanish midfielder Milla and the promising young Italian playmaker Liberali. In total: €104 million invested in pure talent.
Defence and Attack
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And the spending isn’t over yet. Two more areas require reinforcement: defence, with one or even two central defenders, and attack, to provide a credible alternative to Douvikas, last season’s second-highest scorer. Fabregas’s vision is clear: he wants pairs of players of similar calibre to maintain maximum intensity, allowing for tactical substitutions during matches. Consequently, Como’s scouting network remains highly active, targeting high-profile players who will further inflate the expenditure. It’s not unrealistic to anticipate the total spend reaching €150 million by the end of the transfer window. This colossal figure underscores the financial might of the Indonesian owners, who are determined to spare no expense in meeting the manager’s demands. The club’s management is actively seeking international-calibre players – Chalobah and Sanchez are on sporting director Ludi’s list for central defence, with Ivanovic targeted for attack – individuals capable of making a significant impact and providing leadership in the dressing room. Fans are understandably excited by such ambitious and methodical planning. The objective is to enter the Champions League not as mere participants, but as a serious, youthful, and technically proficient dark horse. Fabregas is particularly eager to make a strong showing in a competition that has always eluded him, representing the sole major gap in his illustrious trophy collection.
This article was originally written in Italian by La Gazzetta dello Sport editor. The English version has been generated using AI translation tools. If you notice any translation errors or have suggestions, please contact us at [email protected]
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