Serie A’s Dribbling King! Real Madrid Plans to Buy Back 20-Year-Old Sensation: Sold for €6M, Now Worth €9M

In the 2024-25 season, Nicolás Paz has emerged as one of Serie A’s brightest young stars. The 20-year-old Argentine playmaker has taken Italy’s top flight by storm, delivering eye-catching performances for Como 1907 under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas. His technical brilliance, vision, and dribbling ability have earned him comparisons to some of Europe’s most exciting attacking midfielders.

Now, just one year after selling him, Real Madrid is preparing to activate their buy-back clause. According to José Díaz of Marca, Los Blancos have been closely monitoring Paz’s rapid development and are convinced that he is ready to return to the Santiago Bernabéu.

This decision marks another masterclass in squad planning from Real Madrid, who initially sold Paz for €6 million while retaining a buy-back clause and a 50% sell-on fee. Now, bringing him back will cost €9 million, effectively paying just €3 million in “training fees” for a player whose market value has skyrocketed.

Nicolás Paz: Como’s Attacking Maestro and Serie A’s Dribbling King

A Sensational Season in Italy

Since joining Como 1907 last summer, Paz has not only adapted but thrived in Serie A. His stats speak for themselves:

? 22 appearances, 5 goals, 4 assists – a direct goal contribution every 2.44 games.
⚡ 94 take-on attempts, 48 successful dribbles – leading all Serie A players in both categories.
? Key attributes: Elite dribbling, vision, passing, long shots, set-piece ability, and defensive work rate.

Paz’s ability to navigate tight spaces and break defensive lines with his dribbling makes him one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in Italy. According to OPTA, he ranks above Rafael Leão, AC Milan’s star winger, in dribbling success rate.

The Argentine is not just a technical wizard—he’s an all-around player. OPTA rates his dribbling as “very strong,” while his aerial duels, through balls, key passes, long-range shots, free kicks, and defensive contributions are all rated “strong”. Simply put, he has no clear weaknesses.

Fàbregas’ Influence and Como’s Rise

Como manager Cesc Fàbregas, a legendary midfielder in his own right, has played a crucial role in Paz’s development. Under his tutelage, the youngster has blossomed into a creative force, dictating Como’s attacking play.

Fàbregas has spoken highly of Paz, stating:

"If Real Madrid doesn’t buy him back, we wouldn’t sell him for anything less than €40-50 million."

This statement highlights not only Paz’s potential but also how much Como values him. A player of his caliber, at just 20 years old, is a rare gem.

Real Madrid’s Masterplan: From Castilla to Como to Bernabéu

The Transfer Deal: A Stroke of Genius

Real Madrid has long been a master of youth development and strategic transfers. The way they handled Paz’s move last summer is a prime example.

? Summer 2024: Sold to Como for €6M, retaining a €9M buy-back clause and 50% of any future sale.
? February 2025: Market value surges to €40M+, yet Real Madrid can re-sign him for just €9M.

This model—allowing young talents to develop elsewhere while maintaining a low-cost path to bring them back—is a blueprint Madrid has used before with Dani Carvajal (Leverkusen), Brahim Díaz (Milan), and Fran García (Rayo Vallecano).

Now, Paz is next in line to make his return.

A New Generation Emerging at Real Madrid

The 2024-25 season has been an exciting period for Real Madrid’s young talents. Several academy products have either broken into the first team or thrived while on loan:

✅ Raúl Asencio – a promising center-forward with an eye for goal.
✅ Joan Martínez – a versatile midfielder impressing in the first team.
✅ Jakub Ramón – an elite ball-playing defender progressing rapidly.
✅ Nicolás Paz – an attacking midfield prodigy flourishing in Italy.

Madrid’s philosophy is not just about spending big on superstars, but also about developing young talents into world-class players. Paz is now seen as a potential long-term successor to Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, bringing a blend of creativity, work rate, and flair that fits perfectly into Carlo Ancelotti’s system.

How Would Paz Fit Into Madrid’s Squad?

With Modrić likely entering the final year of his career and Bellingham excelling in an advanced midfield role, Paz could slot in as a dynamic No. 10 or a deep-lying playmaker.

Potential midfield options next season:

• Defensive Midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga
• Box-to-Box: Federico Valverde, Arda Güler
• Attacking Midfield: Jude Bellingham, Nicolás Paz

This rotation balances youth with experience, allowing Paz to develop alongside world-class teammates.

Real Madrid’s Next Move: Decision Time in the Summer

While all signs point to Real Madrid triggering the €9M buy-back, the club’s immediate focus remains on La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.

What Marca Reports:

? Real Madrid favors bringing Paz back in the summer.
? The coaching staff sees him as first-team ready.
? Ancelotti is a fan of his playing style and development.

Unless a drastic change occurs, Paz is on track to return. The final decision will be made once the season concludes, but given his performances, the question is not “if” but “when”.

From Serie A Sensation to Real Madrid’s Future Star

Just one year ago, Nicolás Paz was a Castilla player looking for a pathway to elite football. Now, he is Serie A’s top dribbler, Como’s star playmaker, and a rising name in European football.

Real Madrid, true to their vision of youth development, is set to bring him back—not as a prospect, but as a player ready to compete at the highest level.

At just 20, Paz has already outgrown Como, and his next chapter will likely unfold at the Santiago Bernabéu.

A €6M sale and a €9M return—Madrid’s latest transfer masterstroke.