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 contract clause prevents them from activating his buy-back in the January transfer window.

Nico Paz is one of the biggest revelations in European football this season. The Argentine national team midfielder has become a star at Como, has shaken up Serie A with goals, assists, and elite numbers, and has immediately attracted the interest of Real Madrid to bring him back. However, despite all the buzz 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 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. That part of 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. At just 21 years old, Paz is having an outstanding spell in Italy: he has scored five goals in Serie A—putting him momentarily at the top of the scoring chart alongside Christian Pulisic, Hakan Çalhanoglu, and Riccardo Orsolini—and he also leads the assists ranking with four key passes. On top of that, he boasts top-tier stats: he is the tournament’s second-best in 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. 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 just 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.

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 adds a different profile: creativity, power, dribbling, and attacking presence.

Meanwhile, his outstanding form in Italy has also attracted the interest of European giants like Inter and Tottenham, who have made inquiries about his contract 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.