Nico Paz's reputation has skyrocketed since his move to Como and it will ultimately lead to his return to Real Madrid next summer. The loan move to the Italian clubs has been one of the most successful in recent history and Madrid will reap the rewards of Paz' development at Como. The elegant midfielder firmly announced himself to the masses last season and he's been outstanding this campaign for the Lombardy club.
Although Como have spent heavily since their promotion to Serie A, Cesc Fàbregas deserves immense credit for their success and implementing an attractive style of play. Paz has been the catalyst to their success this season and they currently sit in the European places, just six points off league leaders Roma. The 21-year-old has five goals and four assists in Serie A this season and no midfielder has more goal contributions in the top five leagues this season than the Argentinian international.
It's no secret that Madrid inserted a favourable buy-back clause in the deal to sell Paz to Como and it was essentially a prerequisite to the Spanish giants agreeing to his departure. Paz's spell in the Lombardy region is effectively a loan spell and former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted, last season, that the talented midfielder represents 'the future of Madrid'. It's understood that Mardid possess an option to re-sign Paz for €9 million this summer and that increases incrementally by €1m every summer until 2027 - his Como contract expires in 2028. But it's now been widely reported that Madrid will exercise that option next summer and Paz will return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Paz has confessed that it remains his dream to return to the Spanish capital and Madrid are delighted with his unquestionable development at Como. Transfermarkt understands that Madrid plan on exercising their buy-back clause next summer and could even pay Como slightly above their €10m option for allowing Paz to flourish. There's been reports that Como value Paz around €70m but that's essentially irrelevant as Madrid wouldn't allow a sale, as they could just buy him back and sell him themselves to earn a substantial profit. Tottenham were heavily interested last summer and reportedly tabled an offer for the midfielder of around €60m but Madrid's plan effectively ended any prospects of that deal materialising.
Born in Tenerife, Paz has opted to represent Argentina over Spain and the 20-year-old was rewarded for his excellence at Como with his international debut in October. The prodigiously talented starlet garnered attention when he scored for Madrid against Napoli in the Champions League just weeks after his 19th birthday in 2023 but it's in Italy that he's truly forged his reputation amid the picturesque backdrop of the Alps and Lake Como.The Argentina international stands at over 6ft but he perfectly balances his impressive physicality with an elegance that makes him extremely effective and a delight to watch.
There's naturally areas for Paz to improve - his weaker right-foot and final product - but he's also learning under the perfect mentor in Como head coach Cesc Fàbregas. Paz's best position has yet to be determined as he's incredibly versatile and can play in a variety of roles. Fabregas, however, has almost exclusively utilised him as the creative fulcrum in an attacking midfield role in his preferred 4-2-3-1 role. His attacking numbers were amongst the best of any midfielder in the top five leagues last season and his stunning display against Lazio. Post-match Fabregas expressed that he was completely calm about Paz remaining at Como this season and that reflects Madrid's presence. "I'm very calm and relaxed," Paz said. "Nico is very happy here at Como. He's a top, top player."