Football Presse

Inter eye Nico Paz as Real Madrid prepare to trigger Como buyback

·By Paul Lindisfarne
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Inter Milan are plotting an audacious move for Nico Paz despite Real Madrid informing Como of their intention to exercise the buyback clause that would return the Argentine midfielder to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer.

Tuttosport reports that Inter Milan have identified Paz as their marquee summer signing and are preparing an offer in the region of €45-50 million, with a buyback clause to be included in any offer to Madrid as a condition of any sale.

Real Madrid can re-sign Paz from Como for approximately €9-10 million under the terms agreed when the 21-year-old moved to Italy in 2024, and the club has already communicated its intention to activate that clause before the May 30 deadline. The Bernabéu outfit paid €6 million for Paz's initial sale and retained 50 per cent of his sell-on rights.

The complexity for Inter is that the decision on Paz's future will rest largely with whoever becomes Real Madrid's permanent manager. Paz would return to a squad already stacked with midfield options — Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Brahim Díaz among them — and his role under new management is far from guaranteed.

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti has long been an admirer of the player and maintains a strong relationship with Paz's father, Pablo.

The Nerazzurri are hoping that personal connection, combined with the promise of a leading role at San Siro, can be enough to convince both player and club.

Paz has had a breakthrough season with Como under Cesc Fàbregas, contributing ten goals and six assists as the club push for a shock Champions League qualification.

His market value has risen to around €70 million, making the potential arithmetic of Madrid buying him back at €10 million and selling to Inter at €45-50 million a financially attractive outcome for Los Blancos.

Inter's transfer budget for the summer is estimated at €40-45 million before sales, with the anticipated departure of Alessandro Bastoni to Barcelona the most likely source of additional funds.