Real Madrid have a deadline to activate release clause of former academy talent | OneFootball

With the 2025/26 season now over, Real Madrid’s attention has turned fully to the summer transfer window and the task of rebuilding a squad capable of competing for major honours under Jose Mourinho.

While the presidential elections are temporarily holding up official announcements, business is already being planned behind the scenes.

One of the more routine deals Real Madrid are expected to make is to re-sign Nico Paz from Como.

Deadline to sign Paz

However, according to Defensa Central, Real Madrid have until June 1st to activate the €9 million release clause included in Nico Paz’s contract when he was sold to Como in the summer of 2024 for just over €6 million.

Real Madrid must activate the clause soon. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

If that deadline passes without Real Madrid exercising the option, they would be forced to renegotiate with Como from scratch or wait until the summer of 2027.

This is when a separate clause allows them to re-sign the player for €10 million. Paz is currently contracted to Como until 2028.

The decision has been made more complex by Como’s remarkable final-day achievement of qualifying for the Champions League, giving the Italian club far greater leverage in any potential negotiation than they would have had just weeks ago.

Cesc Fabregas himself has already confirmed, “He won’t play for Inter. He’ll either return to Real Madrid or play for Como next year.”

Mourinho’s call to make

Real Madrid’s transfer strategy will be clearer once Mourinho joins. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The final decision on Paz will ultimately rest with Mourinho, who is already working on squad planning ahead of his official appointment.

Mourinho’s own appointment, though, is also getting delayed due to the imminent Real Madrid presidential election. Therefore, official announcements will have to wait, at least for the time being.