Real Madrid News
Inter Milan to do everything they can to sign ex-Real Madrid prodigy linked with a return
Earlier in the summer, Nico Paz was a hot topic in the Real Madrid circle, with many even expecting Los Blancos to bring him back to Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Paz, after all, is coming on the back of a stellar 2024/25 campaign at Como. He was involved in 15 goals for Cesc Fabregas’ team, establishing himself as one of Serie A’s rising stars.
Real Madrid have a buyback option of just €8 million for Nico and have been linked with a move for the Argentine prodigy but are yet to make any move.
Inter Milan eye move for Nico Paz
According to Sport Mediaset (h/t Inter News), Inter Milan are ready to take advantage of Real Madrid’s inactivity to sign Nico Paz this summer.
As per the report, the Champions League finalists are ready to do everything they can to bring in the Argentine youngster this summer.
Inter Milan have long viewed him as a dream signing. The club even trust the youngster to become quite a long-term asset for the club.
That is why the Nerrazurri have identified Paz as a priority target this summer, although their pursuit of the player could be made difficult by Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have a buyback clause present in Nico Paz’s Como contract, which will allow them to re-sign the player in less than €10 million anytime within the next few seasons.
However, they have reportedly decided not to go after Nico Paz and are perhaps looking to wait one more season before making a move.
But, should Inter Milan try to approach the Argentine star this summer, Real Madrid might look to step in and sign the player themselves before possibly selling him for a profit.
The club may even consider keeping the youngster given his long-term potential, although that is unlikely especially after the Franco Mastantuono purchase.
Inter Milan are not the only club interested in Nico Paz either as Xabi Alonso’s former club Bayer Leverkusen are also eyeing a move for the youngster this summer.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
