Como have submitted an offer to Real Madrid for the signing of 19-year-old attacking midfielder Nico Paz.
Personal terms are yet to be agreed and the finer details of the deal still need to be finalised, but Como are optimistic that the move will be concluded.
Madrid had initially been asking for €10million for Paz, but they have since lowered this and Como’s proposal is a fee of less than €8m.
The Athletic reported in June Madrid had mapped out two possible scenarios for Paz this summer. While the primary idea was for him to stay at the Bernabeu and be involved with day-to-day first team training, Madrid were open to allowing him to depart permanently if the correct formula was reached with another club.
Madrid are seeking a formula similar to that of when they sold Sergio Arribas to Almeria in 2023, where the club retained a percentage of his rights, a sell-on clause and a right of first refusal to re-sign him.
Paz, the son of former player Pablo Paz, made his senior debut in the 2023-2024 season. He featured eight times in all competitions and scored the winner against Napoli in the Champions League group stages.
The Argentina youth international was involved with the Madrid first team in pre-season and was part of the squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.
He is regarded as one of the most promising prospects from Madrid’s academy and the club are confident in his potential. However, his entry into the first team is complicated by the depth of attacking options at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal.
Paz joined the club in 2016 and has a contract until 2027. Last season he scored ten goals and provided four assists in 29 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla.
Como won promotion to Serie A last season and are coached by former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
GO DEEPER
Nico Paz: Real Madrid’s Champions League match-winner and his story so far
(Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
