How Como re-signed Nico Paz from Real Madrid: Cesc Fabregas's influence, Champions League soccer and more
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- Como signed Nico Paz permanently for approximately €60 million — a club-record fee — after the Argentine attacking midfielder starred in their first-ever Champions League qualification at the end of the 2025-26 Serie A season.
- Real Madrid retained a 50% sell-on clause and tiered buyback rights (€9M, €10M, €11M) when Paz first joined Como in 2024 for $6M, and still holds an €80 million buyback option for summer 2027.
- Como and Real Madrid jointly rejected Tottenham's ~€70 million approach for Paz in summer 2025, preserving the arrangement until this year's permanent transfer at a lower fee.
- Real Madrid's summer signing of Bernardo Silva in a similar attacking midfield role narrowed Paz's path to the Bernabéu first team, making a return to Madrid less attractive.
- President Mirwan Suwarso told the BBC that Como aims to 'build a brand like Disney' — leveraging Lake Como as a hospitality and merchandising hub rather than relying on TV rights to sustain a 12,000-seat stadium.
- Cesc Fabregas has cultivated a 'special relationship' with Paz and runs an attacking system built around the Argentine's strengths, with both parties publicly crediting the partnership for the re-signing.
Why it matters: Como now have their star committed through their inaugural Champions League campaign while Real Madrid preserve an €80M buyback for 2027 — meaning the 21-year-old's future is effectively co-owned by both clubs. Suwarso is openly modeling Como on Disney's licensing-driven ecosystem, betting lifestyle revenue from the lake can underwrite a competitive squad in a town of 12,000 seats.
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