Real Madrid News
Arsenal see former Real Madrid academy graduate as a ‘realistic’ target
Real Madrid pulled off a masterstroke with Nico Paz’s situation this summer as they utilised the buy-back clause on the young star to earn a profit on him.
Shining bright at Como, Paz was happy at the Serie A club and only wished to continue in Italy. Los Blancos, however, bought him back and enabled a deal where Como were forced to shell out a larger sum for him.
Eventually, the deal closed with Como paying Real Madrid €60 million for Paz. However, they still do not have complete control over his future as Real Madrid have kept a buyback clause of €80 million valid for next summer.
Arsenal are monitoring Paz
As confirmed in a recent update on BBC Sport, Arsenal admire Nico Paz and see him as a special player with sky-high potential.
The Gunners reportedly saw him as a strong alternative to reinforce the midfield this summer, but eventually did not go for him.
Notably, the English outlet confirms that Paz will continue to be a realistic target for Arsenal in the coming transfer windows and that they will continue to maintain a close eye on his situation. A lot, needless to say, will depend on his trajectory this season.
A second chance for Real Madrid?
The new contract Paz has with Como has been designed such that the Italian club stand to benefit if Real Madrid chooses to use their buyback clause next summer.
Having bought him for €60 million, they will receive €80 million back if Real Madrid signs the player back – thereby netting a €20 million profit.
Real Madrid, however, can still look to use the situation to their advantage once more. Arsenal’s interest in the player is crucial for that plan.
Given the inflation in the Premier League market, another strong season for Paz can see his price tag soar beyond the €100 million mark.
In such a scenario, Los Blancos can look to repeat the same formula by acting as an intermediary. After all, their €80 million investment to buy him back can be compensated with a handy profit if Arsenal shell out a massive sum.
Real Madrid kickstarted their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan, one of Jose Mourinho’s former teams, and the very club with whom he once conquered Europe.
Interestingly, Real Madrid’s second Champions League game of the season will see them take on another of Mourinho’s old sides, in the form of AS Roma.
It will be imperative for Los Blancos to secure three points once again as they look to build momentum heading into a demanding run of fixtures, including the October 25 Clasico against Barcelona.
A special return for Mourinho
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Wednesday’s trip to the Stadio Olimpico carries a personal edge for the Portuguese, who called the ground home between 2021 and 2024.
It was on the Roma bench that he reached his 1,000th match as a coach, and he became the first manager to lead teams to the finals of the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League.
He delivered silverware, too, guiding Roma to the inaugural Conference League title in 2021/22 with a 1-0 win over Feyenoord.
The following season he took them to the Europa League final, where they lost on penalties to Sevilla, before his time in Rome ended in January 2024.
A litmus test for Los Blancos
Mourinho will not be the only one feeling the occasion. Dean Huijsen, on loan at Roma from Juventus in 2024, and Antonio Rudiger, a Roma player between 2015 and 2017, both return to a former home.
Beyond the sentiment, the fixture is a genuine test of Madrid’s credentials. Roma sit among the early pacesetters in Serie A and will provide stiff opposition, making this a useful marker of how far Mourinho’s rebuild has come.
With the Clasico and a congested schedule looming, three points in Rome would do far more than strengthen Madrid’s European standing.
Fortunately, Real Madrid will also have Vinicius Jr. available for this match, as his suspension, which could potentially see him miss the Barcelona game, only applies to domestic competitions.
