Real Madrid look set to bring Nico Paz back to the Bernabéu in June 2026, a move that has been in the works for months. The plan became clearer after SoftFootball first reported Madrid’s intention to activate the buyback once the season ends. Their story on Paz’s development spell at Como gave an early hint of how strongly the club still believes in him.
The January rumours kept growing, especially after Tottenham’s huge offer last season, but SoftFootball later revealed why it was never realistic. Spurs’ failed 70 million euro bid explained how Como wanted to keep him until summer. That situation has not changed, and the buyback clause simply does not apply in January.
Paz has already said yes to coming back, according to a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account. That part seems settled. He knows he has to finish the season at Como, where he has become one of the key players in Cesc Fàbregas’ system.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Real Madrid are planning to bring back Nico Páz as their first signing for 2026 as revealed months ago.
Understand the buy back clause is NOT valid in January and Como want to keep him until summer.
The plan is to make the deal happen in June 2026.
Nico already said YES.
Como President Mirwan Suwarso admitted the clause gives Madrid control, but he also stressed it was always up to the player. Premier League clubs showed interest again this year, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, but Paz focused on Madrid when the time came to make a decision.
The financial structure makes the return almost automatic. Madrid still own half of his economic rights and hold matching options. The buyback ladder had different prices depending on the year. The 2025 option expired, so the plan now is the 2026 figure, which sits at nine million euros.
Some early stories mentioned ten, but the most reliable reports point toward nine. There are whispers that Madrid may even add a small extra payment to keep relations smooth after Como missed out on that huge Premier League offer.
Paz has backed all this up with his football. He has five goals and four assists in Serie A this season and even scored a brilliant effort against Juventus, which SoftFootball highlighted recently when Xabi Alonso praised his progress. He also won the Serie A Rising Star award for August, which felt like a sign that he was starting to rise quickly.
When he returns, he will enter a crowded midfield with Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz, but Madrid see him as part of the long-term plan. The timing, the price and the player’s own decision all point to June 2026 as the moment everything comes together.
