For players in Real Madrid's academy system Castilla, it is always a fight against all odds to break into the first team squad. The first team is always filled with the best players in the world at almost every position, leaving little space for youngsters to find minutes.
Often times Castilla players leave the club, whether on loan or a permanent move, in search of regular game time to develop their game, with some even returning to Real after a few years away. One Castilla player who did, however, manage to briefly break into the first team is Nico Paz.
The youngster saw more game time than usual for a Castilla player during the 23/24 season and the early days of the 24/25 season, before eventually leaving the club for Serie A side Como. Initially a loan that became permanent, Paz has been thriving in Italy and seems on course to return to Real Madrid next summer with the club planning to activate their buy-back clause.
A few clubs called Como this summer inquiring about Paz but the midfielder seems keen on returning to the Bernabeu. However, one Premier League club believes it can put a a fight with Real Madrid and convince the 21-year-old to make the switch to London.
Chelsea confident about defying the odds and signing former Real Madrid star
As being reported by Real Madrid Confidencial, Real Madrid could face competition from Chelsea to re-sign Nico Paz from Como next summer. He seems all but likely to return to Los Blancos, however Chelsea are preparing their own ambitious offer for the player.
Chelsea have never been shy to flex their spending muscles and Nico Paz seems to be the latest youngster the hope to add the their insanely deep squad.
As mentioned earlier, Paz has been thriving at Como since his arrival last season. He's scored or assisted in all of Como's Serie A games this season and is the only Serie A player with 3+ goals and 3+ assists this season. Adding Paz to a midfield already consisting of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo could prove to be the worst nightmare of other Premier League clubs.
While Chelsea could put up a fighting chance with Real Madrid to sign the youngster, he seems all but destined for a return to the Spanish capital. While Chelsea could offer Como more to sign the midfielder, Real Madrid retains a buy-back clause in his contract, giving them priority over any club for his signing.
The buy-back clause is rumored to be for as low as €8 million, which could prove to be the bargain of the decade if he returns to Los Blancos.