Real Madrid are facing intense weeks both on and off the pitch, with the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona coming up on Saturday, as well as the league title, which is being decided week by week. Without Champions League football, the schedule is clearer, allowing the club to start working on various issues, from the bench to positions that need strengthening across all areas of the team.
One of the decisions to be made concerns the future of Nico Paz, who is performing at a high level in Italy’s Serie A. The player has been closely followed by several major clubs; the midfielder has played more than 2,000 minutes this season, twice as many as Arda Güler, and his influence has been key to Como’s good run.
His growth under Cesc Fàbregas has been evident and he could continue to progress in Italy unless he wants to return to Real Madrid and be a substitute for big names such as Bellingham or Kylian Mbappé.
Options to return to Real Madrid
Real Madrid has reserved the right to re-sign him for next season for €8 million, an affordable price for a club of its size. However, the player and his entourage are aware that allowing a buy-back clause to be exercised could mean losing the continuity and prominence that the young player is enjoying in Serie A.
Proof that Real Madrid is keeping an eye on the player’s situation can be found in the words of Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti a few days ago: “He’s one of ours, we’re following him, he’s doing very well, I have no doubts. At the end of the season, we’ll decide what to do. If I have to give advice to a young coach… I think patience is a great quality,” said the Italian coach.
Como insists on keeping him
The young player is performing at an outstanding level under Cesc Fábregas at Como in Italy, who want to keep the player for longer, at least one more season, so that he can continue to grow and contribute. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has said the following in recent hours: “Como is putting pressure on Real Madrid for Nico Paz to stay next season, now it’s up to Real Madrid. Real Madrid don’t want to lose him and believe in his potential.”
Nico Paz’s father, Pablo, spoke a few days ago in an interview about the player’s future in ‘La Provincia di Como’. “I think if you ask Nico what he would like to do, he would definitely like to stay at Como for another year: he feels great, he’s happy, and with Fàbregas on the bench it’s like doing a master’s degree. He likes everything here: the team, his teammates, the people… And I would also agree to him continuing in white and blue. So, it’s clear that there are also more important interests at stake, but for us it would be fine to stay in Como for another year.”
His future as a Real Madrid player depends on who is in charge
According to Fabrizio Romano, there is one factor that could determine the way forward: a possible change of coach. The board will not address the player’s possible return until it decides whether Carlo Ancelotti will continue as coach next season. If they opt to say goodbye to Carletto and replace him with Xabi Alonso, it will be the Tolosa-born coach who will have the power to decide whether the Argentine should be part of the new project.