Real Madrid are reportedly set to complete a £7 million deal for a player who has a market value of around £56 million.
It has been a stuttering season so far for Los Blancos, with new boss Xabi Alonso enduring some tough spells.
Currently, Madrid are second in the La Liga table, four points behind fierce rivals Barcelona.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Madrid are seventh in the UEFA Champions League, having lost against Liverpool and Manchester City in recent weeks.
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As a result, pressure is already mounting on Alonso, who is expected to deliver better results in the coming weeks.
With the January transfer window just around the corner, it has been claimed that Madrid could complete a cut-price deal for a highly rated player.
As reported by Spanish news outlet AS, Madrid are set to sign Argentine youngster Nico Paz, who currently plays for Serie A side Como.
Although Paz has a market value of £56 million, according to Transfermarkt, Madrid will only pay around £7 million for the midfielder, who is set to return to Spain in the summer of 2026.
This is due to the fact that Madrid inserted a buy-back clause when they first sold Paz to Como back in the summer of 2024.
Delivering an update on Paz's future last month, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano wrote: "Real Madrid are planning to bring back Nico Páz as their first signing for 2026 as revealed months ago. Understand the buy back clause is NOT valid in January and Como want to keep him until summer.
"The plan is to make the deal happen in June 2026. Nico already said YES."
So far in the 25/26 season, Paz has managed five goals and five assists in 16 matches across all competitions.
When asked about Paz potentially leaving in January, Como boss Cesc Fabregas shut down those rumours.
He said: "There’s nothing to say, he’s a Como player and will stay with us.
"Then it depends on what the other club decides. I won’t rule out that Nico stays here next season too. He’s ambitious, and he can have a big career in football, but why can’t he do it here at Como? He’s made us grow, and vice versa. You can see it. You can see if a person is happy from their eyes, and I think that he’s happy here right now."
Topics: Real Madrid, Football
Marcus Chan