Madrid's Nico Paz plan: buy at €9m, sell at €60m

Spanish giants Real Madrid are preparing a striking transfer move for young star Nico Paz, a product of their own academy. Per Fabrizio Romano, Madrid are set to inform the Italian club Como of their intention to trigger the €9 million buy-back option they kept on the player's transfer there. Bernabeu officials are expected to meet with Como to activate this cut-price option.

The truly striking part of the plan lies in the next step. Per Romano, Real Madrid plan to offer Como the chance to keep the player permanently for around €60 million (£52m) immediately after triggering the buy-back option. Should the Italian side decline this high fee, Madrid are expected to put the player on the market to sell him elsewhere. That is because the 21-year-old Argentine is not part of the team's first-team plans for next season under the new head coach.

This strategy carries the aim of generating a significant profit on a player who came through Real Madrid's academy. Madrid sold Paz to Como for around €6 million in 2024 but added a low-cost buy-back clause to the contract. With his current market value reaching €65 million per Transfermarkt, the player could deliver the club a return far above the original sale fee with this move. The situation is seen as a striking example of how elite clubs have turned academy development into a financial instrument.

Nico Paz put in an extraordinary performance in Serie A last season. The 21-year-old scored 12 goals and provided 6 assists in the league, leading Como to exceed expectations with a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. No midfielder in Serie A bettered Paz for non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes. With this form, Paz, who has 10 caps for Argentina and was named in the world champions' squad for this summer's World Cup, drew the attention of elite scouts from across the continent.

Source: Fabrizio Romano
Image: Goal