Como target Cesar Palacios as Nico Paz prepares €10m return to Real Madrid
Quick summary
Como are reportedly tracking Real Madrid Castilla forward Cesar Palacios as a replacement for Nico Paz. Paz is expected to return to Real Madrid this summer via a €10m buy-back clause.
What happened
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Como have identified Real Madrid Castilla attacker Cesar Palacios as a possible successor to Nico Paz. Paz, who has impressed in Serie A, is widely expected to return to Real Madrid at the end of the season after the club activates a €10m buy-back option. Palacios, 21, has scored 14 goals in 40 appearances for Castilla and fits Como's stated strategy of recruiting young Real Madrid talent. The report also notes Como are monitoring other options including Chuki and Fares Chaibi.
Chance analysis
This matters because Como may be losing one of their main creative attackers and will need to replace both output and attacking structure. For Real Madrid, Paz's return improves internal depth and future squad optionality, while Como's recruitment focus suggests another developmental signing rather than an established replacement.
Como face a probable loss of attacking creativity, while Real Madrid regain a high-upside midfielder ahead of next season.
Treat this as a likely attacking personnel downgrade for Como unless a replacement of similar creative value is confirmed.