‘No way!’ – FIFA rule stops Real Madrid’s crazy €60 million transfer dream
Real Madrid might be trying to bring back Nico Paz before selling him for a good profit — even though they’re currently banned from doing that.
Since Jose Mourinho returned for his second spell, Real have been busy in the transfer market, signing players like Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva, and Marc Cucurella. Now, the next big name linked to them is the exciting Argentine star Nico Paz. He came from their ‘La Fabrica’ academy but moved permanently to Como in 2024.
Paz only played eight times for Real’s first team after coming from CD Tenerife, but he really shined in Italy’s Serie A. He scored 13 goals in 40 games, helping Cesc Fabregas’s Como qualify for the Champions League last season.
When Real sold him for around €6 million, they included a buy-back option for about €9 million. It was said Real could bring him back by June 30. But now, there are mixed reports. Journalist Fabrizio Romano says the two clubs are ready to talk about Paz returning to Real just two years after he left. Real would even offer Como the chance to buy him back for a much higher fee of €60 million. Como would get first priority, but if they can’t afford it, Real might sell Paz to another club.
However, Jose Felix Díaz from AS says this plan won’t work because Real would have to wait at least 12 weeks before selling Paz again after re-registering him. That means they couldn’t make another sale until January, which would ruin their plan to make a quick profit.
He explained on X: “Real Madrid can’t buy back Nico Paz and then sell him in the summer. It’s impossible. They must wait twelve weeks — until the winter transfer window.”
FIFA rules warn against “bridge transfers,” which happen when a player is transferred twice in a row within 16 weeks. If FIFA finds this happening, the clubs and player could face penalties.
Many big clubs like Inter Milan, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig are interested in Paz, who has played 10 times for Argentina. The 21-year-old is contracted with Como until 2028 and is currently with Argentina’s team for the World Cup in North America, making his tournament debut in place of the legendary Lionel Messi against Algeria.
Though born in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Paz chose to play for Argentina. Since Argentina has already secured a spot in the round of 32, he might get his first start in their last group game against Jordan in Arlington, Texas, this Sunday.