Real Madrid News
Real Madrid counting on former academy gem in plans for next season
For a long while now, it has been speculated that Real Madrid intend to re-sign former academy gem, Nico Paz, from Como 1907 in the summer transfer window.
Los Blancos have a very affordable buyback clause for the Argentine playmaker and it has been suggested that they will activate it to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Como are making efforts to convince Nico to stay at the club for one more year, as was revealed by their sporting director, Carlalberto Ludi, in a recent interview.
No change in plans for Real Madrid
But, according to AS, Real Madrid are maintaining both their promise and their decision: the club are counting on Nico Paz for next season. Only a change of heart from the player could disrupt the operation, something that is not expected. The cost will be €9 million.
Despite the emergence of Thiago Pitarch and the progress made by Arda Guler, the Argentine international remains on the roadmap.
It is a firm decision from Los Blancos that dates back to last summer, when the club informed him that he was part of its plans for 2026.
The only factor that could unsettle the operation would be if Nico, concerned about a potential lack of playing time, were to decline the offer. As things stand, this is not even being considered as he dreams of returning to Valdebebas.
At Real Madrid, Nico’s talent and versatility are seen as extremely valuable. He can operate as a right winger, attacking midfielder, or even deeper in midfield. His left foot allows him to adapt to multiple roles, fitting perfectly into the club’s plans.
Nico, for his part, has been waiting for his moment to return. Despite Como’s efforts to retain him, the reality remains clear. Such is his commitment that last summer he rejected a €70 million offer from Tottenham in order to wait for Real Madrid.
So, unless there is a drastic change, Real Madrid will pay the €9 million buyback clause and bring Nico back this summer.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
