Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Actual Madrid is closely following former talent Nico Paz, who left the Como club last summer.
Paz was 12 when he left his home on the island of Tenerife to join Madrid’s youth ranks and made eight appearances for the first team last season, as well as spending time with Castilla.
But the opportunity for him to play senior football regularly in Italy arose towards the end of the summer transfer window, moving to newly promoted Como.
Madrid collected €6 million, but are believed to have maintained a buy-back clause, which is a common tactic when young players are allowed to leave.
“We follow him a lot,” Ancelotti told Italian media this week, with the coach hinting that Madrid have every intention of activating the buyback clause at some point.
“I think this year of training outside of Actual Madrid is going to be very good for him. He is a player who we believe will be the future of Actual Madrid.”
Reports suggest that taking up the buyback option at the end of this season will cost Madrid just €9 million. That amount will then increase annually, up to €10 million in 2026 and €11 million in 2027.
Before last season, Madrid made use of a €5 million buy-back clause to re-sign left back Fran García, two years after selling him to Rayo Vallecano. He has made 51 appearances in the 18 months since.
In 2016, Madrid activated Álvaro Morata’s buyback clause to re-sign the forward from Juventus, paying €30 million two years after selling him for €20 million. He stayed in the Spanish capital for just one season, before the club doubled his money in a €65 million sale to Chelsea in 2017.
