Key Takeaways:
- Como’s representatives are scheduled to travel to Madrid this week to hold renewed discussions regarding Nico Paz’s future
- Inter are weighing up potential player sales to generate funds for a €60m bid for the Argentine midfielder
- Real Madrid maintain a €9m buy-back clause for Paz, complicating the transfer battle ahead of the 2026-27 season
Negotiations Intensify Over Sought-After Talent
According to reports issued on Monday, Como are preparing to send their sporting director, Carlalberto Ludi, to Madrid in a bid to secure the future of Nico Paz. The Argentine midfielder, aged 21, is at the centre of a complex transfer saga that also involves Inter and Real Madrid, with all three clubs now locked in a high-stakes battle for his signature.
Paz has spent the past two seasons at Como after joining in a deal that included a 50% sell-on clause and favourable buy-back options for Real Madrid. The Spanish club, who are 15-time Champions League winners, can reacquire Paz this summer for just €9m due to a contract clause.
🚨 JUST IN: Real Madrid & Como will have a DIRECT MEETING THIS WEEK to settle Nico Paz’s future.
Real Madrid want to buy him back, then sell him to Como on DIFFERENT conditions, while Como want to KEEP the current structure of the deal. This is the difference.
If there is NO… pic.twitter.com/0ZU9iBnBim
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) June 21, 2026
Como’s Retention Plans and Inter’s Transfer Strategy
For Como, keeping Paz is a priority as the club heads into their first ever participation in the Champions League. The club’s management, as well as Paz himself, reportedly favour him remaining under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas. However, Real Madrid’s low-cost buy-back clause places his future in doubt, leaving Como with the objective of persuading Madrid not to trigger this clause for at least another season.
Inter, on the other hand, are eager to bring Paz to San Siro but would only be able to move forward if Madrid first exercised their buy-back right. Any successful attempt to sign Paz would then require an offer totalling €60m. Inter’s ambitions are subject to raising adequate funds through outgoing transfers.
Transfer Funds and Potential Outgoings at Inter
Inter’s owners have allocated €50m to secure the signing of Marco Palestra from Atalanta. However, any additional expenditure, such as the €60m needed for Paz, would necessitate the sale of other players. Candidates potentially making way include Alexander Stankovic, who has a valuation of approximately €40m, alongside Davide Frattesi, Luis Henrique, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Andy Diouf. Furthermore, the Nerazzurri are planning to offload several loanees for the 2025-26 campaign, namely Benjamin Pavard, Kristjan Asllani and Ebenizer Akinsanmiro.
What Lies Ahead
The coming days could prove decisive as Como’s delegation aims to persuade Real Madrid to delay their buy-back of Nico Paz. Meanwhile, Inter’s transfer activity is likely to depend on successful player sales to fund a significant offer. The destination of Paz for the 2026-27 season remains uncertain, as the three clubs manoeuvre through a web of financial considerations and contractual clauses.
