Real Madrid News
Real Madrid slap €60 million price tag on former academy star once tipped for Bernabeu return
Real Madrid could be preparing for one of the most surprising transfer moves of the summer, with club president Florentino Perez open to facilitating Nico Paz’s permanent departure despite retaining significant control over the midfielder’s future.
According to Defensa Central, Los Blancos are seriously considering a strategy that would see them activate their buyback clause for the Argentine talent before placing him on the market for around €60 million.
The development comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Nico Paz’s future.
For months, a return to the Santiago Bernabeu appeared to be the most likely outcome after his impressive campaign at Como. However, recent events have dramatically altered the picture.
Nico Paz prefers Como stay despite Real Madrid clause
Nico Paz’s rise over the past season has made him one of the most closely watched young midfielders in Europe.
After leaving Real Madrid for Como, the Argentine established himself as a key player in Serie A and significantly increased his market value through a series of impressive performances.
Despite Real Madrid retaining a buyback option worth €10 million, the player himself does not view a return to Spain as the ideal next step in his career.
This is because the arrival of Bernardo Silva has only increased competition for places in Jose Mourinho’s midfield, creating uncertainty over the amount of playing time he would receive if he returned.
As a result, the 21-year-old has informed Real Madrid that he would prefer to remain at Como, where he feels his development can continue without the pressure of fighting for minutes in one of Europe’s most competitive squads.
However, the final decision may not rest entirely with the player.
Why is that?
According to the report, however, Florentino Perez is prioritising a different outcome.
Rather than allowing Nico Paz to remain in Italy, the Real Madrid president is exploring the possibility of turning the midfielder into a significant transfer profit this summer.
The plan would be to activate the €10 million buyback clause before the June 30 deadline and then listen to offers in the region of €60 million.
Such an operation would generate a substantial return and give Real Madrid complete control over the player’s destination.
Right now, nothing is finalised, and a lot depends on the meeting between Real Madrid and Como, which is expected to happen next week.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
