Real Madrid set to trigger €9m buy-back clause for Como's Nico Paz
Real Madrid are planning to re-sign midfielder Nico Paz from Como in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to multiple reports. The Spanish giants intend to activate a buy-back clause in the Argentine's contract, valued at €9 million (£7.8m). Paz, a product of the Real Madrid academy, is under contract with the Italian Serie A club until 2028, but a return to the Bernabeu is now widely anticipated.
The move has been signposted for months, with transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano stating last November that Real Madrid were planning to bring Paz back as their first signing for 2026. Romano clarified that the clause could not be activated in January and that Como intended to retain the player until the summer, with Paz having already agreed to the move. Spanish outlet El Debate reported this week that the club has now made the definitive decision to proceed with the transfer.
Nico Paz initially broke into the Real Madrid first team, scoring one goal in eight appearances, including a memorable Champions League strike against Napoli in November 2023. He moved to Como in the summer of 2024 in search of more regular playing time. The transfer has proven highly successful for his development; at Como, the 21-year-old has flourished, scoring 19 goals and providing 17 assists in 72 appearances across all competitions. According to The Touchline, a social media account with 1.5 million followers, Paz is now valued at approximately €65 million, a significant increase from his original transfer fee.
The reported buy-back fee represents a substantial bargain for Real Madrid given Paz's current market valuation and his prolific form in Italy. He is described as the only player with more than 15 goals and 15 assists since the start of the last Serie A season. His performances have cemented his status as one of the most promising young attacking midfielders in Europe.
For Real Madrid, securing Paz for a modest fee addresses a need for creative depth and brings back a familiar talent who understands the club's culture. For Paz, the move offers a chance to re-establish himself at the highest level of European football after proving his quality in a competitive league. When asked recently by AS about a potential return to Madrid, Paz remained focused on his current duties, saying, "I'm 100% focused here in Como. I want to give my all on the pitch. Then, if an opportunity arises in the future, we’ll see."
The anticipated transfer underscores Real Madrid's strategy of including buy-back options in sales of their most promising academy products, allowing them to monitor and potentially reclaim players who excel elsewhere. Paz's return would bolster Madrid's midfield options ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, providing manager Carlo Ancelotti with another dynamic, goal-threatening option in the final third.
