Real Madrid sent transfer warning by Serie A club chief | OneFootball

Real Madrid have been dealt a blow and a warning by Como's director of sport over the possibility of re-signing academy graduate Nico Paz this summer.

Paz left Madrid last year and has enjoyed a breakout senior campaign with Como, registering 12 combined goals and assists in Serie A despite the club sitting in the bottom half of the table.

The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Madrid, who are thought to possess a buy-back clause on a sliding scale for each of the next three summers. Inter have also been rumoured to be keen on Paz, but could equally turn to Arda Guler as an alternative.

But, along with rookie head coach Cesc Fabregas, Como are adamant that Paz won't be leaving.

"They will certainly be with us next season," senior official Carlalberto Ludi told DAZN.

Paz has caught the eye in Serie A / Image Photo Agency/GettyImages

Madrid have two possible paths for Paz. Their buy-back clause, €9m in 2025 and rising by €1m each year until 2027, is low enough that they could trigger it just to then immediately sell the player on to the highest bidder for profit. The club utilised a similar tactic with Alvaro Morata almost a decade ago, although the eventual big money sale to Chelsea came a year later.

The other option is to integrate Paz into the first-team squad. The issue with that for the player, however, is a likely enormous drop in game time. With stiff competition from world class stars, he could find himself in the same frustrating position that Guler does now.

Even if Madrid indicate their desire to trigger the buy-back clause, Paz will still have a say in the matter and could turn down the contract being offered if he feels that staying at Como, or a different move, is better for his development.