Kicker reports that Nico Paz from Como, alongside Real Madrid talent Arda Guler, could be used as bargaining chips by Bayer Leverkusen to facilitate Xabi Alonso’s transfer to Madrid, which is now a done deal. Despite this, both players remain of strong interest to Bayer.
The focus is particularly on Argentine Nico Paz, whom Real sold to Como for €6m but secured a buy-back option reportedly worth €9m. Real Madrid therefore retain control over the future of the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who has made two appearances for the reigning world champions.
Bayer Leverkusen have identified Paz, a standout performer in Serie A for newly promoted Como, as a potential replacement for Florian Wirtz. Wirtz is attracting serious interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Paz is a classic number 10, left-footed, with strong dribbling skills and precise through passes. This season, he has contributed six goals and nine assists in 33 league games.
Having already proven his ability at top-flight level, Paz could help Leverkusen compensate for Wirtz’s possible departure this summer. This possibility grows if Real Madrid also enters the race for Leverkusen’s star player, with rumours suggesting Xabi Alonso wants Wirtz to join him in Madrid.
If Real pushes this plan forward, they could act as a gateway for Bayer to re-sign Paz. In contrast, the situation with Arda Guler is more complex. Real Madrid have no plans to sell the Turkish international. A loan deal could be possible, perhaps even a two-year loan, which would only interest Bayer if Guler continues to see limited playing time under Alonso. His availability is expected to be clearer later in the pre-season, unlike the more straightforward case of Nico Paz.