The hidden contract clause blocking Nico Paz’s return to Real Madrid | OneFootball

The Argentine midfielder is shining at Como in Italy, and Los Merengues are closely following every step of his development, but a clause in his contract prevents them from activating his buy-back in the January transfer window.

Nico Paz is one of the breakout stars of European football this season. The Argentina national team midfielder has become a key figure at Como, has shaken up Serie A with goals, assists, and elite numbers, and has immediately caught the interest of Real Madrid for a potential return. However, despite the buzz generated in recent weeks, the move is impossible in January: a clause in the agreement between the two clubs blocks any early return of the midfielder.

According to Marca, the buy-back option agreed upon by Real Madrid and Como cannot be exercised mid-season. The contract only allows the Spanish club to activate Paz’s return at the end of the football year. This point in the agreement rules out the possibility of an “express recall”, regardless of the outstanding level the Argentine is showing.

And there are plenty of reasons for Madrid to keep a close eye. At just 21 years old, Paz is having an extraordinary season in Italy: he has scored five goals in Serie A—putting him temporarily at the top of the scoring charts alongside Christian Pulisic, Hakan Çalhanoglu, and Riccardo Orsolini—and he also leads the assist rankings with four key passes. On top of that, he boasts top-level stats: he is second in the league for total shots (39), shots on target (15), key passes (29), fouls received (31), and tackles made (36). He also ranks third in successful dribbles (26) and seventh in progressive passes towards the opponent’s goal (74).

Paz’s explosion has not gone unnoticed at Como. Their president, Mirwan Suwarso, admitted some time ago that keeping him will be very difficult: “We have realized it’s impossible to convince Real Madrid to remove the buy-back option. We’d better enjoy Nico Paz while he’s here.” The deal that brought him in included a payment of six million euros, 50% of the economic rights for Madrid, and a staggered buy-back clause: nine million in 2026 and ten million in 2027.

Praise has also come from within the locker room. Cesc Fàbregas, Como’s coach, described the Argentine with a phrase that has already made the rounds across the continent: “Nico Paz is strong because he pulls plays out of a hat. He does crazy things, without limits.”

In Madrid, expectations are rising. Xabi Alonso sees Paz as an ideal complement for a midfield packed with talent: Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Ceballos, Bellingham, Brahim, and the young Mastantuono make up a sector with plenty of options, but the Argentine brings a different profile: creativity, power, dribbling, and a knack for getting into the box.

Meanwhile, his outstanding form in Italy has also attracted the interest of European giants like Inter and Tottenham, who have made inquiries about his contractual situation. But for now, nothing will move Nico Paz from Como: the clause is clear and Real Madrid will have to wait until the European summer to decide whether to bring him back home.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.