Real Madrid are set to bring midfielder Nico Paz back to the club from Como this summer by activating a buy-back clause in his contract. According to a report from Spanish publication AS, the 21-year-old Argentine is already aware of the club's decision to exercise the option, which is set at €9 million (£7.8m). The clause must be activated by May 30, but the report states that Madrid's management has already taken steps to inform all parties, including Como and their manager Cesc Fàbregas, of their intention.
Paz, a product of the Real Madrid academy, made eight first-team appearances and scored one goal before being sold to the Italian club in the summer of 2024. Since moving to Como, the attacking midfielder has flourished, registering 19 goals and 17 assists in 73 matches across all competitions. His development in Serie A has convinced the Madrid hierarchy that he is ready to contribute at the Bernabéu, with the club viewing his return as a valuable and cost-effective reinforcement for their squad.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are also preparing for potential departures, with striker Gonzalo Garcia reportedly available for transfer. AS reports that club president Florentino Perez has set an asking price of €60 million (£52m) for the 22-year-old Spanish forward. Garcia is another academy graduate who has broken into the first team, but his path to regular minutes appears blocked. The news follows a report from TEAMtalk earlier this month which claimed Newcastle United hold an interest in Garcia, believing he has the attributes to succeed in the Premier League.
These moves are part of a broader squad strategy at Real Madrid, which also involves managing the future of Brazilian striker Endrick. Currently on loan at Lyon, Endrick is scheduled to return to Madrid at the end of the season. When recently asked by Canal Plus Foot about the possibility of extending his stay in France if Lyon qualify for the Champions League, the player stated he was open to all possibilities, saying, "If I have to return to Real Madrid, I’ll go back there gladly. If I have to go elsewhere, I’ll go elsewhere." However, sources indicate Madrid have no current plans to loan or sell him permanently in the near future.
The return of Nico Paz provides Real Madrid with a versatile, homegrown attacking option at a minimal cost, while the potential sale of Gonzalo Garcia would represent significant pure profit on the club's financial books. For Como, the departure of Paz is a blow, but the substantial profit on a player they have developed for less than two years offers funds to reinvest in their squad.
