Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to bring Nico Paz back in 2026, and the club have no intention of selling him once he returns.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has impressed since leaving Madrid for Como 1907 in the summer of 2024. Under Cesc Fàbregas, Paz has grown into a key figure in Italy, producing strong numbers and adding maturity to his overall game.
Real Madrid want him back — and want to keep him
According to a report from AS, Real Madrid are happy with Paz’s progress and view him as a player to reintegrate, not to flip for profit.
That matters, because interest around the Argentine has been building fast. Several major European clubs have monitored his rise, and recent reports have linked teams like Manchester United to his situation. But from Madrid’s side, the plan remains clear: bring him back and retain him.
Como knew the conditions from the start
Como would prefer to keep Paz longer, but the understanding from the initial agreement was that Real Madrid would maintain control over his future. With the club holding the key decisions, there is a sense that the Italian side won’t stand in the way if Madrid activate their return plan.
Why this return makes sense for Madrid
Real Madrid’s midfield has been packed with athletic profiles, but at times the team has looked short of a natural creator—a player who can operate between the lines, link play, and unlock compact defenses.
Paz’s development in Serie A has added exactly the kind of sharpness Madrid value: improved decision-making, confidence in tight spaces, and the ability to influence games in the final third. That’s why the club reportedly sees him as a player who can complete his growth at the Bernabéu, rather than elsewhere.
A personal mission: Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad
Alongside his club progress, Paz is said to be chasing a major personal target: breaking into the Argentina national team picture ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
That kind of ambition is expected to push him even harder over the coming months, and Real Madrid believe the drive for international recognition could accelerate his evolution into a top-level midfield weapon.
What happens next
For now, the focus stays on Como and finishing strong in Italy. But if the report holds, Real Madrid’s long-term plan is already in motion: Nico Paz returns in 2026 — and he returns to stay.