Como FC coach Cesc Fàbregas has drawn a hard line in the transfer market, firmly rejecting Inter Milan's pursuit of breakout midfielder Nico Paz and insisting the Argentine's future lies only with the Spanish giants Real Madrid or the Lombardy-based club itself. Speaking ahead of Sunday's final-day clash with Cremonese, Fàbregas made clear his frustration with Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti's public overtures toward the 21-year-old playmaker.
Why This Matters:
• Real Madrid holds a €9M buy-back clause valid through May 30, 2026, giving them exclusive control over Paz's next move.
• Como remains in mathematical contention for Champions League qualification heading into the season finale, with one spot still up for grabs.
• Paz has emerged as one of Serie A's standout midfielders, with his market value now estimated at €60-65M.
A Public Rebuke Over Transfer Etiquette
Fàbregas issued a pointed response when addressing Zanetti's recent comments, in which the Inter legend said he "adores" Paz and "never stops hoping to see him in an Inter shirt." The Como boss called the remarks inappropriate given that Paz remains under contract with a Serie A rival.
"Zanetti was a very important person in football, he knows the dynamics well. I know Giuseppe Ausilio and Dario Baccin—they're the ones who make the decisions at Inter," Fàbregas said at his pre-match press conference. "But ultimately, Nico is 50% a Como player, and he's ours. The only club that has any say is Real Madrid. I know Zanetti doesn't work for Madrid or Como, so respect needs to be shown."
The Spanish tactician went further, stating categorically: "One thing I know for sure—Nico Paz will not play for Inter. He'll either return to Real Madrid or stay at Como next year. There are subtle messages I don't appreciate."
Zanetti's admiration for Paz is well documented. The Inter vice-president revealed he roomed with Paz's father, Pablo Paz, during the 1998 FIFA World Cup and has maintained contact with the family. While acknowledging the midfielder will "return to Real Madrid," Zanetti had left the door ajar for a future move to Milan, describing any potential deal as "complicated" but not impossible.
Fàbregas's response underscores the delicate ethics of player recruitment in Italian football, where unsolicited public praise for contracted players from rival clubs is often viewed as tampering.
Madrid's Buy-Back Clause Holds the Keys
The underlying tension stems from Real Madrid's contractual leverage. When Paz joined Como in summer 2024, the deal included buy-back options: €9M for 2026 and €10M for 2027. Madrid has until May 30, 2026—just one week away—to activate the first clause.
The €9M buy-back represents exceptional business by Real Madrid—Como would receive less than 15% of Paz's current market value. The club accepted this risk when signing him in 2024, viewing it as part of the investment's terms. Sources close to the Spanish club indicate that a verbal agreement for Paz's return this summer is already in place. The attacking midfielder, who has netted 10 league goals this season, is viewed as part of Madrid's long-term project. Reports suggest incoming Madrid manager José Mourinho wants Paz integrated into the first team for the 2026/27 campaign, rather than loaned out again.
Paz himself has remained diplomatically focused on Como's campaign, though insiders say the Tenerife-born Argentine dreams of returning to the Santiago Bernabéu. Inter reportedly planned to deploy him in a new 3-4-2-1 formation and was prepared to table a significant offer, but Madrid's contractual control renders such negotiations moot unless the Spanish side declines to exercise their option—an increasingly unlikely scenario given Paz's explosive development.
The Final-Day Qualification Scenarios
While the Paz saga dominated headlines, Fàbregas also emphasized Como's improbable push for UEFA Champions League qualification. The club sits just two points behind fourth place heading into Sunday's home fixture against relegation-threatened Cremonese.
"Faith is the last thing you lose," Fàbregas declared. "If we don't believe, we might as well go on vacation and play friendlies, leaving Cremonese the chance to stay in Serie A. That's not fair to what we've built or what the fans believe in."
Italy qualifies four clubs for the Champions League. With Napoli and Juventus already securing spots through their league position, Milan and Roma currently occupy two of the remaining qualifying positions at 70 points each. Como trails narrowly in a four-way battle that will be decided across 90 minutes on May 24.
In the event of a tie, Serie A's tiebreaker hierarchy applies: head-to-head record, goal difference in direct matches, overall goal difference, and total goals scored. Hypothetical scenarios analyzed on May 22 suggested that if all four contenders finish on 71 points, Como would leapfrog Milan and edge Juventus based on head-to-head results, placing them in the coveted top four alongside Roma.
For a club that last competed internationally in the 1980-81 Coppa Mitropa, the prospect of Champions League football represents a seismic leap. Como has already secured Europa League qualification—its first European campaign in 45 years—by virtue of a fifth-place finish as of mid-May. The team boasts a 51.35% win rate in Serie A, kept six consecutive clean sheets earlier this season, and demolished Torino 6-0 in January, the club's biggest Serie A victory. In Coppa Italia, they reached the semifinals, matching a high-water mark set in 1985-86.
What This Means for Residents and Football Fans
For Como residents, Sunday's match is a once-in-a-generation moment. A city of roughly 84,000 in the Lombardy lakes region, Como has never experienced top-tier European football. Local businesses, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors, stand to benefit significantly from potential Champions League exposure, with midweek fixtures attracting international visitors and media attention.
From a player market perspective, Real Madrid's May 30 deadline will clarify Paz's future and potentially trigger a domino effect in the summer transfer window. If Madrid activates the clause as expected, Como must strategically reinvest resources into squad reinforcements to sustain their European ambitions.
Fàbregas confirmed Paz's availability for Sunday remains uncertain. "We're trying to see if he can play, but he's not 100%. With the World Cup ahead, we can't take risks. He deserves to play—he's helped us immensely. We're happy with him and will see what happens in four or five weeks."
The mention of the World Cup adds another layer: Argentina's upcoming qualifiers mean any injury could jeopardize Paz's international commitments, further complicating his final appearance in Como colors.
A Season Beyond Expectations
Regardless of Sunday's outcome, Fàbregas has engineered a remarkable campaign. Promoted in 2024, Como was widely tipped for a relegation battle. Instead, the club has played "effervescent football" that has already guaranteed European competition and kept alive—however improbably—the dream of facing Europe's elite.
Cremonese, meanwhile, fights for Serie A survival. The contrast in stakes makes for compelling theater: a newly promoted side chasing glory versus a desperate rival clinging to top-flight status.
Fàbregas closed his press conference with characteristic candor: "We're happy with what we've achieved, but we'll honor this season by playing our game. We owe that to the fans and to ourselves."
Whether Como secures a miracle fourth-place finish or settles for Europa League football, and whether Paz departs for Madrid or stays for another season, Sunday evening will mark a watershed moment for a club that has rewritten its own history in the span of two extraordinary years.
