Every so often, a young player leaves Real Madrid’s academy, lights up another league, and forces the club to think twice about letting him go. Nico Paz is that player right now at Como. This article pieces together why he left, how he has performed in Serie A, and whether Real Madrid’s buyback clause will bring him back.

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Full name: Nicolás Paz Martínez · Age: 21 (born 8 September 2004) · Position: Attacking midfielder · Current club: Como (Serie A) · 2025/26 goals (all comps): 13 · 2025/26 assists (all comps): 8

Quick snapshot

1Player identity
2Current season
  • Club: Como 1907 (Goal)
  • League: Serie A (Goal)
  • Position: Attacking midfielder (Football Agencies)
3Key stats (2025/26 all comps)
  • Appearances: 37 (Goal)
  • Goals: 13 (Goal)
  • Assists: 8 (Goal)
4Transfer status
  • Moved from Real Madrid to Como in 2024 (YouTube (transfer analysis))
  • Real Madrid holds a buyback option (Football Agencies)
  • Reported buyback fee: €9 million (Goal)

Seven verified facts, one pattern: Nico Paz is a product of Real Madrid’s cantera who is proving his quality in Serie A, but all contractual roads lead back to Madrid.

Here is a detailed profile of Paz’s attributes and current status.

Label Value
Name Nico Paz (Nicolás Paz Martínez) (Football Agencies)
Date of Birth 8 September 2004 (Football Agencies – age 21)
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) (YouTube (player profile))
Preferred Foot Left (YouTube (player profile))
Current Club Como (Serie A) (Goal)
Jersey Number 10 (Football Agencies)
Previous Club Real Madrid (Goal)

Is Nico Paz a Real Madrid player?

Current club status: Nico Paz is not a Real Madrid player. He currently plays for Como in Serie A after transferring from Real Madrid in 2024 (Goal). The move was a permanent sale, not a loan (YouTube (transfer analysis)). However, Real Madrid retained a buyback clause and a 50% sell-on clause (Football Agencies).

What this means: Real Madrid effectively sold the player while keeping a contractual cord that lets them bring him back at a pre-agreed price. He is a Como player today, but Madrid still own the right to decide his medium-term future.

Why did Real Madrid sell Nico Paz?

First-team competition at Real Madrid: Despite progressing through La Fábrica, Paz found senior minutes blocked by a stacked Real Madrid midfield (YouTube (transfer analysis)). After a brief senior debut in November 2023, he faced limited opportunities (Goal).

Como’s offer and buyback agreement: Como presented a clear path to regular playing time in Serie A, and the deal included a buyback option that kept Real Madrid’s long-term control (Football Agencies). The initial fee paid by Como has not been publicly confirmed, though one report pegs it at €6 million (YouTube (transfer analysis)).

The pattern: Real Madrid used a buyback structure to let Paz develop elsewhere without losing the talent permanently — a strategy they have employed with other academy graduates.

Is Nico Paz coming back to Real Madrid?

Buyback clause details: Real Madrid holds a reported €9 million buyback option to re-sign Paz (Goal). A separate report mentions an additional €10 million buyback clause for 2027 (Football Agencies). The deadline to trigger the clause was reportedly 30 May or 1 June 2025 (Goal; DeadlineDayLive (Facebook)).

Reports on a 2025/26 return: Goal reported that Real Madrid had already informed Como of its decision to activate the buyback, making Paz the club’s first confirmed signing for the 2026-27 campaign (Goal). However, the player reportedly prefers to stay at Como for another season (DAZNFootball (Facebook)). No official confirmation has come from either club.

Bottom line: Real Madrid appears ready to bring back Paz for €9 million, but the player’s preference and the lack of an official announcement leave room for uncertainty. For Real Madrid, the deal is a low-risk reacquisition of a homegrown talent. For Como, losing their No. 10 would be a blow, but the 50% sell-on clause softens the exit.

Timeline of Nico Paz’s career

— Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (Football Agencies).
— Debut for Real Madrid Castilla (Goal).
— Senior debut for Real Madrid in La Liga (Goal).
— Transfer to Como in Serie A (YouTube (transfer analysis)).
— Records 13 goals and 8 assists in 37 appearances across Serie A and Coppa Italia (Goal).
— Real Madrid reportedly plans to trigger a €9 million buyback clause (Goal).

The pattern across these milestones is clear: each step has been engineered to ensure Madrid can reclaim him.

The upshot

Real Madrid structured Paz’s exit to avoid losing him permanently. Now, after one prolific Serie A campaign, they face a simple choice: pay €9 million to bring back a player whose market value has likely doubled, or watch him develop further at Como and potentially attract Premier League offers.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Nico Paz is a professional footballer for Como. (Goal)
  • He transferred from Real Madrid in 2024. (YouTube (transfer analysis))
  • His position is attacking midfielder. (Football Agencies)
  • He recorded 13 goals and 8 assists in 37 appearances in 2025/26 across Serie A and Coppa Italia. (Goal)
  • Real Madrid holds a €9 million buyback clause. (Goal)

What’s unclear

  • The exact initial transfer fee paid by Como. (YouTube (transfer analysis) estimates €6 million)
  • Whether Real Madrid will definitely trigger the buyback clause. (Goal reports a decision was communicated, but no official confirmation)
  • Whether the player prefers a return to Madrid or to stay at Como. (DAZNFootball (Facebook) reports his preference to stay)

“Real Madrid have already informed Como of their decision to activate the €9 million buyback clause for Nico Paz, making him their first confirmed signing for the 2026-27 campaign.”

— Goal (tier 2 football media), reporting on the buyback decision (Goal)

“My understanding is that Real Madrid is seriously considering bringing Nico Paz back, but the player would prefer another season at Como to continue his development.”

— DAZN Football’s transfer insider, as relayed on social media (DAZNFootball (Facebook))

The implication of these conflicting signals is that the decision rests on whether Madrid prioritizes immediate reinforcement or Paz’s continued development.

For Real Madrid’s decision-makers, the choice is clear: trigger the €9 million buyback and integrate a player who has outgrown Serie A’s mid-table, or risk seeing his price tag rise beyond reach after another season at Como where he wears the No. 10 and runs the attack.

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Frequently asked questions

What position does Nico Paz play?

Attacking midfielder, primarily as a playmaker from the left half-space. (Football Agencies)

How old is Nico Paz?

21 years old (born 8 September 2004). (Football Agencies)

Which national team does Nico Paz play for?

He is eligible for Argentina and Spain. He has represented Argentina at youth level. (Football Agencies)

How many goals has Nico Paz scored for Como?

13 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions in the 2025/26 season. (Goal)

What is Nico Paz’s market value?

Market valuations are not publicly fixed, but the €9 million buyback clause is widely cited as below his current market value after his breakout season. (Goal)

Does Real Madrid have a buyback clause for Nico Paz?

Yes, a reported €9 million buyback clause that can be triggered in 2025, with another clause at €10 million for 2027. (Football Agencies)