Real Madrid have two weeks to save nearly $60 million on Nico Paz

Real Madrid’s plan for Nico Paz is moving ahead exactly as expected. The academy product is set to return to the Santiago Bernabéu after two seasons of development with Como in Italy.

As previously reported by AS, the midfielder has already been informed that Madrid intend to activate their buyback clause. The club now has a two-week window, which began Monday, to finalize the deal.

Unlike some of the larger decisions tied to Real Madrid’s long-term sporting project, Nico Paz’s return is not heavily dependent on the ongoing presidential election process inside the club. The stalled pursuit of José Mourinho is a far more politically sensitive issue. Nico’s situation is much simpler.

A bargain in today’s market

Across every level of the organization, the recommendation has been clear: bring him back.

Club president Florentino Pérez has the authority to move forward with the operation immediately, and Madrid view the deal as one of the best market opportunities available this summer. Re-signing Nico Paz will cost the club around $10.5 million, a remarkably low figure considering his rise in Serie A.

The 21-year-old has become one of the most sought-after young players in Italian soccer, with newly crowned Serie A champion Inter reportedly willing to spend close to $70 million to sign him.

The deadline to trigger the clause runs for two weeks following Como’s final league game Sunday in Cremona. Nico spent the closing weeks of the season helping the Lombardy-based club push for a Champions League place, but his future now appears firmly tied to Madrid.

His return is expected to be one of the club’s first completed moves of the summer. The other will be Endrick, who is set to return following a six-month loan spell at Lyon that helped secure his place at the World Cup.

Contract details could change

It remains unclear whether Real Madrid will adjust the terms of Nico Paz’s contract upon his return.

When Madrid originally sold him to Como, the agreement already included predetermined salary and contract conditions in the event of a buyback. Still, it is common for clubs to revisit those terms when a player’s development significantly exceeds expectations.

That appears to be the case here.

Nico’s performances in Italy have dramatically increased his value, and he could even arrive back in Madrid carrying the status of a World Cup player.

Waiting on Scaloni’s decision

The Tenerife-born playmaker is now anxiously awaiting Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni’s final World Cup roster announcement.

Paz is included in Argentina’s provisional 55-man list submitted to FIFA, but Scaloni has chosen to delay naming his final squad longer than most national team coaches. The deadline is June 2.

In Argentina, however, widespread reports suggest the announcement will come sooner, possibly by the middle of this week. Most observers expect the Como star to make the final cut.

He may not be the only Real Madrid player involved in the conversation.

Franco Mastantuono was also included in the preliminary squad, but his limited role over the past month could work against him. Despite showing flashes of improvement, the young midfielder played only 219 minutes in May for a Real Madrid side with little left to play for, which may ultimately leave him watching the World Cup from home.

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