Serie A
Real Madrid trigger €9m buyback for Paz, Como faces €60m choice
Real Madrid have activated the €9 million buyback clause for midfielder Nico Paz, bringing the Argentine back to the Santiago Bernabéu just months after his sale to Como 1907. The Spanish club retained the three-year buyback option when they sold Paz in 2024, but opted against using it last year before reversing course now.
The move comes as Real Madrid prepare for a new managerial era under José Mourinho, who has since signed Bernardo Silva, reshaping the squad’s midfield dynamics. Paz’s integration into the first team was no longer guaranteed, prompting discussions about his future.
Paz himself had expressed a desire to remain at Como, but Real Madrid’s decision to activate the buyback clause now hinges on a higher-value exit strategy rather than retaining him. The club has offered Como the chance to re-sign him, but at a significantly increased fee of around €60 million.
The offer to Como is time-sensitive, with the Italian club required to make a decision by Monday. Should Como decline, Real Madrid plan to sell Paz to another club for a sum exceeding €60 million, with Inter Milan already identified as a potential suitor.
Fabrizio Romano the buyback activation was confirmed during a meeting between officials from Real Madrid and Como 1907. The clause’s original value was €8 million, but Real Madrid chose to exercise it at €9 million this time.
Paz has impressed during his two seasons at Como, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders. His performances caught the attention of top clubs, including Real Madrid, who initially sought to bring him back for the upcoming season.
However, the arrival of Mourinho and Silva’s signing altered Real Madrid’s midfield plans, leaving Paz’s future uncertain. The buyback activation now sets the stage for a potential transfer saga, with multiple clubs monitoring the situation closely.
Real Madrid’s decision to flip Paz rather than retain him reflects a calculated financial move, leveraging his rising market value. The €60 million offer to Como is seen as a test of the club’s ambition and financial capacity.