Real Madrid’s first summer signing confirmed

Robin Bairner

27 Mar 2026 08:13 GMT
4 min read

Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Real Madrid have already settled on their first summer signing, with Los Blancos poised to complete a deal that is regarded as “almost impossible” for them to ignore.

Article continues under the video

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side stand on the brink of signing Nico Paz from Como in a deal that has been described by Marca as a “must” for Real Madrid.

The Argentine has been one of Serie A’s standout players this season, scoring 10 goals and creating six more for Cesc Fabregas’ side as they push for Champions League qualification.

Current ETV

Nico Paz

AM, M (C)

Como

Nico Paz

AM, M (C)

Como

ETV Range

€62.1M - €75.9M

Nico Paz to Real Madrid: Why the deal is inevitable

Paz moving to Real Madrid in the summer is little more than a formality, and a transfer that Los Blancos have been plotting even before the 21-year-old was allowed to leave for Italy in the summer of 2024.

At that point, the Spanish side installed a buy-back deal in the transfer agreement with Como – one that now looks like a masterstroke. Madrid agreed to sell 50% of Paz’s rights to the Italian club, but they installed a buyback clause in this agreement worth just €9 million.

Paz’s value has exploded since then. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €69m, and even if Real Madrid technically own half of this, they will be securing rights worth approximately €35m for a fraction of that figure.

Even if Los Blancos had no intention of retaining the playmaker, they would be able to sell him on at an enormous profit rapidly. He is, after all, a player in high demand. Tottenham have been particularly linked with a move for the youngster.

What’s Real Madrid’s plan for him?

Real Madrid will not necessarily keep Nico Paz in their squad, but he will be given a chance to prove himself at the Bernabeu, as Marc reports:

“The club will regain 100% of his rights and from there the young star will be assessed. The first step will be to evaluate the sporting potential of a player who has every chance of earning a place in the Real Madrid squad.

“The second step will be to analyse his market value in light of the possibility of a multi-million euro sale, with Real Madrid as the sole beneficiary of the transfer. This sale cannot be made in the same transfer window in which they buy him back because it is not permitted. It is called a 'bridge transfer' and is illegal.”

If Real Madrid do sell Nico Paz, then, it will be a move conducted in January 2027, by which time his ability to mix it with the Galacticos at the Bernabeu will be well established.

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