Saturday’s edition of AS has a big feature on Real Madrid’s Erasmus success. The Spanish newspaper explain the club have sent multiple youngsters elsewhere almost like a finishing school.
Making sure they retain low buyback clauses, it enables them to control the player’s future as well as give him a permanent transfer to enable adaptation. All the while, the youngster is motivated to perform and seal a Los Blancos return.
Tottenham Hotspur and their attempt to sign Nico Paz being blocked is seen as a great example. Paz moved to Como in August 2024 for just €6m, with Madrid keeping a €9m buyback clause applicable this summer.
Last season he established himself as one of Serie A’s best youngsters under Cesc Fabregas. That brought interest from Tottenham and there were consistent reports in Italy of a transfer effort.
Nico Paz convinced to snub Tottenham
Real Madrid would have received 50% of the profit from a sale. Alternatively, they could convince the player to wait a year and return for €9m. That would involve snubbing Spurs and an immediately higher salary.
AS explain Tottenham offered a package to Como worth €70m, which is consistent with claims at the time. Real Madrid had to convince him to wait, and he ‘didn’t hesitate’ do so.
Premier League clubs, including Spurs, have been ‘pushing hard’. Nico Paz, however, is determined to have a Real Madrid future.
The 21-year-old is one of a number of players Real Madrid have in a similar situation around Europe.