Young Real Madrid star Nico Paz made his choice. Jose Mourinho and the club talked to Paz to gauge where his head is at after an incredible 2025/26 Serie A season in which he led Como to a historic Champions League qualification with 18 goal contribtions as a true end to end center midfielder, but instead of wanting to compete for a spot initially, the Argentinian international understandably opted for a year of seasoning.
It is a move that makes sense not just for the competition but also for the continuity. Paz wanted to stay at Como to keep learning from Cesc Fabregas and finish what he started with their upcoming Champions League campaign. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are undergoing a lot of changes to the squad this summer in Mourinho's first season.
There were worries that Como may not purchase Real Madrid for the 60 million euros that they wanted, and Inter Milan and the Premier League powers were lying in wait to vulture the best player in Italian football.
Real Madrid are ready to sign their No. 6
Instead, Real Madrid came to a compromise, sold Nico Paz to Como with a buy back, and will now focus on their current squad and any new center midfielders they want to add to their best lineup for the 2026/27 season.
The No. 1 target and the most obvious player Real Madrid need to sign now that they have settled Paz's future and added some funds is Enzo Fernandez. While Enzo and Paz have totally different profiles, that is precisely why Real Madrid were comfortable with letting Paz go, because they need a No. 6 more than another No. 8 this summer.
Real Madrid's only real 6 is Aurelien Tchouameni, and he has not been at the level of a Real Madrid starter since joining in 2022. Los Blancos want someone with more technical quality, defensive fire, and control of games, and the World Cup winner is the chosen one by Jose Mourinho to rectify the wrongs of the last two seasons in the middle of the park without Toni Kroos.
Comparing Enzo Fernandez to Kroos would obviously be insane and insulting to one of the greatest players in Royal White history, but Enzo really wants to be at Real Madrid and is a great player who will be even greater under Mourinho and at Madrid. He is the best option Real Madrid have at the anchoring position, and with an extra 60 million euros in their pocket, it is time to forge full ahead for the 25 year old World Cup star.
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