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

Nico Paz is one of the great revelations of European football this season. The Argentine national team midfielder has become a star at Como, revolutionizing Serie A with goals, assists, and elite numbers, and has immediately attracted the interest of Real Madrid to bring him back. However, despite the buzz generated in recent weeks, the move is impossible in January: a clause in the agreement signed between both clubs blocks any early return of the midfielder.

According to Marca, the buy-back option agreed between 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 ultimately rules out the possibility of an “express recall,” regardless of the remarkable level the Argentine is showing.

And there are plenty of reasons for Madrid to keep a close eye on him. At just 21 years old, Paz is having an outstanding season in Italy: he has scored five goals in Serie A—placing him temporarily at the top of the scorers’ table alongside Christian Pulisic, Hakan Çalhanoglu, and Riccardo Orsolini—and also leads the assist rankings with four key passes. To this, he adds top-level statistics: he is the second player in the tournament 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 breakout has not gone unnoticed in Como. Its president, Mirwan Suwarso, admitted some time ago that keeping him will be very difficult: “We have understood that it is impossible to convince Real Madrid to remove the buy-back option. Better to enjoy Nico Paz while he’s here.” The agreement that facilitated his arrival 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.

The praise has also come from inside 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 magician’s hat. He does crazy things, without limits.”

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