TA: Returning to Real Madrid is Paz’s ultimate goal, but he is only willing to return to play an important role

Hupu reported on November 14 that according to The Athletic Real Madrid reporter Mario Cortegana and Serie A reporter James Horn Castle jointly reported that they updated the future situation of Argentine midfielder Paz, who is currently playing in Como.

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Since his transfer from Real Madrid to Como in August 2024, the value of this Argentine star has risen sharply. The 21-year-old Paz has not only attracted the pursuit of clubs such as Tottenham this summer, but is also likely to stage a "Cavajal-style" return.

Progress of Real Madrid's buyback plan

Paz's stunning performance in his first season in Serie A (6 goals and 9 assists in 35 games in the 2024-25 season) has made the Real Madrid board of directors seriously consider starting a buyback this summer. Although he mainly played for Real Madrid's B team and only played 128 minutes for the first team, the rapid growth in Serie A allowed Real Madrid to bring him back for 8 million euros in June. Since the Spanish media generally regarded the return as an established fact, the eventual failure to make the trip sparked heated discussions - the reason is: Paz is only willing to return for an important role and needs the approval of new coach Xabi Alonso.

Although Alonso recognizes his talent, he believes that the time has not come yet, and the priority for signings is other positions. With the signings of Ade, Huizen, Carreras and Mastantono in the summer window, any additional signings would have to be predicated on players leaving the team, which has not happened. Paz continues to grow in Como, and his goal is to qualify for Argentina's World Cup next year - he has not missed any Scaloni squad since October 2024.

But returning to Real Madrid is still Paz's ultimate goal, which makes him ignore suitors such as Tottenham and Inter Milan this summer. Real Madrid and Como maintained close communication with the player team, jointly rejected other offers, and instead discussed adjusting the repurchase terms. Although Real Madrid is also paying attention to midfielders such as Crystal Palace's Adam Walton and AZ Alkmaar midfielder Keith Smit, their tracking of Paz has never stopped, and it is very likely to start his return next summer window.

Detailed explanation of repurchase terms

Real Madrid will have about 9 million euros to repurchase Paz in next summer window - why is it so much lower than the market valuation? This stems from the club's mature youth training player operation strategy: when Paz was sold to Como for 6 million euros in August 2024, a series of terms and graded repurchase options were implanted (8 million in the 2025 summer window, 9 million in the 2026 summer window, and 10 million in the 2027 summer window). This "Carvajal model" (sold to a pharmaceutical company in 2012 and then repurchased) has become the training paradigm for Real Madrid's youth training elite. The club also has rights such as a 50% share of secondary transfers and priority in matching offers, but as player values ​​soar, these terms may be renegotiated.

Como's development plan

Como has established a healthy cooperation ecosystem with Real Madrid and has become the "advanced school" for Real Madrid's youth training elite. Cesc Fabregas's training of Paz was so effective that Real Madrid sold 20-year-old central defender Jacopo Ramon to the Serie A club this summer for 2.5 million euros. Como took the initiative to inform Real Madrid of the sky-high Premier League offer received this summer, and both parties agreed to reject it and initiate negotiations to revise the buy-back terms.

Sports director Carl Alberto-Ludi said frankly in October: "Nico grew up in Real Madrid's youth training and is now blooming in Europe's top leagues. It is normal for Real Madrid to exercise its buy-back right. As a child who came out of that environment, returning may be his inner desire." If Real Madrid still has no vacancies next season, the third season with Como to compete for European competition may also be a win-win option.

The Serie A stadium is in stunning bloom

Paz, who was awarded the best young player in Serie A last season, continues to evolve. He directly participated in 8 goals in the first 7 games of this season and was elected the best of the match 4 times. His exquisite stopping skills and stunning goals are reminiscent of Dybala and Yuldiz. Even Cesc Fabregas, who had a conservative attitude, could not hide his appreciation - after defeating Juventus on October 19 (his mentor Wenger was watching the game), he said frankly: "I want to thank Wenger for trusting me back then, just like I trusted Paz. When a player has a top mentality, his sky is the limit."