‘No way!’ – FIFA rule stops Real Madrid’s crazy €60 million transfer plan
Real Madrid is reportedly thinking about bringing back Nico Paz before selling him for a good profit – even though they face a ban on doing that. Ever since Jose Mourinho returned for his second time, Real has been very active in the transfer market, signing players like Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, and Marc Cucurella.
Their next rumored target is the talented Argentinian star Nico Paz. He came up through Real’s own academy, ‘La Fabrica,’ but left permanently for Como in 2024. Paz only played eight times for Real’s first team after joining from CD Tenerife. However, he shined in Serie A, scoring 13 goals in 40 games and helping Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, qualify for the Champions League last season.
When Real sold him for just €6 million, they included a buy-back clause for about €9 million. Reports said Real had until June 30 to bring him back. But now, things seem unclear. Journalist Fabrizio Romano says the two clubs might soon talk about bringing Paz back, just two years after the move. He also said Real plans to offer Como a chance to buy Paz back for a much higher fee—around €60 million. Como would have first option, but if they can’t afford it, Real could sell Paz somewhere else.
On the other hand, Jose Felix Díaz from AS says this plan won’t work because Real must wait at least 12 weeks after registering Paz before selling him again. That means no permanent sale until the January transfer window, stopping Real’s quick sell plan. Díaz tweeted, “Real Madrid cannot buy back Nico Paz and then resell him in the summer. Impossible. They must wait until the winter market.”
FIFA rules say no “bridge transfer” is allowed, meaning two transfers of the same player in 16 weeks. If FIFA finds it’s a bridge transfer, penalties will follow. Big clubs like Inter Milan, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are all interested in Paz, who has played 10 times for Argentina. The 21-year-old is under contract with Como until 2028 and is currently with Argentina’s World Cup squad in North America. He’s replacing the legendary Lionel Messi for his first tournament game against Algeria.
Born in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Paz chose to play for Argentina. With Argentina already through to the knockout stage, Paz might get his first start in their last group game against Jordan in Arlington, Texas, this Sunday.