REAL MADRID CONFIRMS INTENT TO TRIGGER €9M BUY-BACK CLAUSE FOR NICO PAZ
Real Madrid will trigger the €9M buy-back clause for Nico Paz this summer. Discover why the Argentine playmaker is returning home.
Nico Paz will return to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to a report that highlights his current market value. The young player has also hinted at his plans.
Paz came up through the Real Madrid youth academy and made it to the first team of the Spanish and European powerhouse.
The 21-year-old midfielder scored one goal in eight appearances for Madrid’s first team before transferring to Como in the summer of 2024.
Paz’s contract with Como runs until the summer of 2028, but all signs indicate he will head back to Madrid for next season and beyond.
In November 2025, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared on X that Real Madrid plans to reacquire Nico Paz as their first signing for 2026, as revealed months ago.
He noted, “Understand the buy-back clause is not valid in January, and Como wants to keep him until summer. The plan is to make the deal happen in June 2026. Nico already said yes.”
This week, Spanish publication El Debate reported that Madrid has decided to bring Paz back from Como this summer.
Madrid plans to activate the €9 million (£7.8m, $10.5m) buy-back clause in Paz’s contract with Como.
The Touchline has also supported these claims on X, reporting that the 21-year-old is now valued at €65 million (£56.3m, $76.2m).
The account, which has 1.5 million followers on X, mentioned, “Nico Paz is expected to sign for Real Madrid this summer. He was worth less than €10 million when he was bought by Como. Now he’s worth €65 million. He’s the only player with over 15 goals and 15 assists since the start of the last Serie A season.”
Paz has thrived at Como since transferring from Madrid in 2024.
The Argentine midfielder has scored 19 goals and provided 17 assists in 72 appearances for the Italian club so far.
Paz told AS earlier this month about scoring for Madrid against Napoli in the Champions League in November 2023, “Pure happiness; I was a 'kid' in my second game with the first team. Scoring in the Champions League against a team like Napoli, with the giants playing in Madrid, in a stadium like the Bernabeu. When I scored, everyone was shouting and chanting my name; it was an incredible feeling.”
When asked about a possible return to Estadio Bernabéu this summer, Paz said, “I don’t want to think about those things. I’m 100% focused here in Como. I want to give my all on the pitch. Then, if an opportunity arises in the future, we’ll see.”
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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