MADRID, SPAIN – Real Madrid is locking in their first major signing for the 2026 summer transfer window, with highly-rated Argentine attacking midfielder Nico Páz having agreed to return to the Santiago Bernabéu.
The move, which has been part of the club’s long-term strategy since his departure, is now confirmed to be on track for completion next year.
Buy-Back Clause Not Valid Until Summer
Despite Páz’s sensational form this season at Como in Serie A—where his market value has skyrocketed—Real Madrid confirmed they cannot accelerate the transfer. The shrewdly negotiated buy-back clause included in the deal when he moved to Como in 2024 is not valid during the upcoming January 2026 transfer window.
- Como’s Stance: The Italian club is determined to keep their key playmaker, who has been instrumental in their season, until the end of the current campaign.
- The Plan: The move is therefore planned to be executed in June 2026, when the buy-back clause (reportedly valued at around €9 million for that window) becomes active.
Páz Gives The Green Light
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has reportedly given his explicit approval, confirming he is ready to return to his boyhood club.
His success in Italy, where he has thrived under manager Cesc Fàbregas, has convinced the Los Blancos hierarchy that he is now prepared to compete for a place in their star-studded squad, making him the club’s priority first signing for the 2026/2027 season.
Real Madrid’s move to activate the clause is seen as a major coup, securing a player currently valued by Transfermarkt at many times the clause’s figure, cementing a long-term plan to integrate one of their most promising academy graduates back into the senior team.
