Real Madrid trigger Nico Paz clause and shake up the Italian market
Real Madrid are about to buy back Nico Paz from Como for around 9 to 10 million euros – a figure set in the contract – and then resell him for up to 60 million. The manoeuvre does not only concern the fate of the 21-year-old Argentine: it is redrawing the transfer plans of several Italian clubs, with Inter Milan at the front line.
What Real Madrid are planning
Florentino Pérez has returned to the helm of the club with a clear mission: to rebuild a team that has not won a relevant title in two seasons. The Madrid president has secured the signing of José Mourinho as coach and has already announced reinforcements such as Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konaté. Now Nico Paz enters the game – but from a different angle.
The idea is not necessarily to keep him in Madrid. The club wants to exercise the buy-back option, regain control of the player’s rights and put him on the market for a much higher figure. A classic asset-appreciation operation, executed with perfect timing.
Nico Paz: what makes the deal so coveted
Nico Paz’s season at Como was simply off the charts. Twelve goals in a standout Serie A campaign, a decisive part in the club’s climb to the Champions League – the Argentine attacking midfielder became one of the hottest names in Europe. All of this at just 21. Numbers like these justify any tug of war.
Como, who had hoped to keep him for another season, do not seem willing to pay 60 million to hold on to their own player. The maths does not add up, and the club knows it.
Inter Milan enter the race – but need money
Internazionale have been following the case for a while. For the Nerazzurri board, signing Paz would be both a sporting hit and a marketing bet – the kind of name capable of expanding the club’s presence in international markets. Something similar to the failed attempt to sign Nico Williams, of Athletic Bilbao, last summer.
The problem is financial. Inter already have other operations underway, including the possible signing of Daniel Ballard, the Atalanta defender, which promises to be one of the most expensive transfers in the club’s recent history. To make Paz viable, the Oaktree fund – Inter’s owner – would need to inject additional resources, and sales would be indispensable.
Among the departures being considered: Alexandar Stanković, whose value rose after a good season at Club Brugge and could fetch around 40 million euros, plus Davide Frattesi, Benjamin Pavard, Luis Henrique and Carlos Augusto. If Paz goes to Milan, interest in Curtis Jones, of Liverpool, should naturally cool.
What lies ahead
Real Madrid’s final decision will determine where this domino falls. If the Merengues activate the clause, Como lose the player almost for free and have no way to keep him. Inter can step in, but depend on freeing up the wage bill and attracting financial support. And Nico Paz, who not long ago was a central piece in the project of a club newly arrived in the European elite, could become the most expensive deal in Italian football this window. All because Madrid decided to move the board.
