Explore the intriguing case of Nico Paz, the talented Argentinian midfielder, and the complex contractual clauses that allow Real Madrid to secure his services for a fraction of his market value, despite a massive offer from Tottenham.
Introduction: The Rising Star Nico Paz
Nico Paz, the Argentinian attacking midfielder, is rapidly emerging as one of Europe`s brightest young talents. His recent outstanding performance for Como against Lazio, where he scored a magnificent free-kick and provided an assist, only confirmed his immense potential. It`s no surprise that Argentina`s national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, has already called him up several times.
Paz joined Como in the summer of 2024 for $6 million. Real Madrid, his former club, is well aware of his abilities; it was under Carlo Ancelotti that Paz made his debut and scored his first Champions League goal at just 18 years old. Although the Blancos decided to let him develop elsewhere, they never lost sight of him.
Currently, Paz is shining at Como under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, and the Italian club has no intention of selling him. They have already rejected a staggering $70 million offer from Tottenham. But why is Como holding onto its star player despite lucrative offers, and how can Real Madrid potentially bring him back for just $10 million in 2026?
Real Madrid`s Clever Strategy: Control Over Paz`s Future
When the deal with Como was finalized in the summer of 2024, Real Madrid embedded several key clauses that significantly impact the Italian club`s strategy. Firstly, Real retained a 50% sell-on clause for any future transfer. This means that if Como had accepted Tottenham`s $70 million offer, $35 million would have gone to Real Madrid, making the deal far less profitable for Como.
Secondly, Real Madrid possesses the right to match any offer from other clubs. If Como were to accept a Premier League bid, Real could simply match that amount and secure priority for the player.
Finally, the Blancos included a series of buy-back options for fixed amounts over the next few years: €8 million in 2025, €10 million in 2026, and €10 million in 2027. Although Real chose not to activate this option this summer, considering Paz`s rapidly increasing value, his return for €10 million in 2026 seems highly probable. These clauses clearly demonstrate Real Madrid`s comprehensive control over Nico Paz`s future.
Como`s Strategy, Paz`s Outlook, and Real Madrid`s Lessons
Como finds itself in a challenging position: they understand that the longer Paz stays at the club, the higher his market value will become, yet they also realize that Real Madrid will most likely re-sign him for a much lower fee in 2026. However, as one of Europe`s financially robust clubs, Como can afford long-term planning. They see the potential in developing a partnership with Real Madrid that could bring new players to the club in the future. Under Cesc Fabregas, Como aims to build a strong team, and a good relationship with the Madrid giants could be part of this strategy. Serving as a “finishing school” for Real Madrid`s young talents is not the worst scenario for the Italian side.
Nico Paz himself is content at Como and declined the move to Tottenham. He prefers to develop without the intense pressure of the Premier League, focusing on a full season under Fabregas and preparing for the 2026 World Cup, where he expects to be part of Argentina`s squad.
Real Madrid, for its part, is learning from past mistakes. For instance, they did not match PSG`s bid for Achraf Hakimi in 2021 when he left Inter – a situation similar to the current one with Paz. That decision proved to be an error. And while Real Madrid`s squad is already brimming with elite attacking players, a talent like Paz remains a valuable asset worth securing.
