Fabrizio Romano delivers big January blow for Real Madrid

Fabrizio Romano says there is no chance that Real Madrid can bring back Nico Paz in January..

Madrid control the Como wonderkid and there have been reports they will look to re-sign him during the winter transfer window.

The poor form by Real Madrid recently that has seen them lose top spot to Barcelona and put Xabi Alonso at risk of the sack has added to these rumours of a Paz return.

But Romano has shot down the reports.

Paz won’t return to Madrid in January

Romano says that there is no chance of Paz leaving Como in January.

He says that Madrid have no mid-season option to re-sign him – unlike in the summer – and Paz wants to see out the season with Como.

He is happy with how the season is going as Como challenge the top of Serie A and he doesn’t want to rock the boat ahead of the World Cup.

However, at the end of the season, Romano says it is very likely that Paz will return to Madrid.

Paz joined the Italian side in 2024 after they were promoted from Serie B for €6 million.

Madrid installed three buyback clauses in the transfer allowing them to re-sign Paz for €9m in 2025, €10m in 2026 and €11m in 2027.

In 2026 they will execute their option but they will probably pay far more after Como agreed to reject a €70 million bid from Tottenham last summer – and thus deserve more compensation.

Just over a year after joining Como, Paz is now valued by the Italian club at close to €100m after exploding in Serie A.

Coached by Cesc Fabregas – himself set for big things in the coaching world – Paz has been a phenomenon.

Fielded as the number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 system, the attacking midfielder has taken the Italian league by storm.

Blessed with a gorgeous left foot, silky skills, creativity, elegance and vision, Paz has everything you want of a Galactico.

This season he has scored five goals and provided five assists for Como in Serie A.

Last season Paz was named as the best Under-23 player in Serie A after contributing 15 goals (six goals, nine assists) in 35 games for Como.

“He’s a special player and he must be free to express himself,” Fabregas said last season

“We must not make him robotic.”

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