Real Madrid star wants to leave club

A rising Real Madrid star who was called up to the first team by Carlo Ancelotti last season is reportedly looking to leave the club this season. SPORTSwhich cited anonymous sources.

Nico Paz joined Madrid’s famous La Fabrica academy in 2023 and made his senior Champions League debut in November, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in a match against Braga at the Bernabeu.

A few days later, he made another cameo appearance against Valencia as Los Blancos won 5-1, and ended the month by scoring his first elite team goal on the continent against Napoli, securing a 4-2 win.

Such performances helped the 19-year-old win winners’ medals in both competitions and Ancelotti’s men claimed an impressive treble.

But like many La Fabrica products, Paz’s path to regular playing time in the first XI has been blocked. With new signings Kylian Mbappe and Endrick only complicating matters, he’s finding it difficult to be selected ahead of attacking midfielders such as Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler and Fede Valverde.

Ancelotti needs a more defensive pivot like Mario Martin before bringing in someone like Paz, who reportedly feels it is now time to look for new pastures.

Since he excelled at Castilla, he no longer wants to continue playing in the reserve team, but wants to find a higher-class team to continue his progress in the professional ranks.

Paz has a contract in Madrid until 2027 and is currently valued at $10.8 million (€10 million) by his club. The club does not want to sell him unless he specifically requests a transfer.

It seems that the Spanish-born Argentine U20 talent has no shortage of suitors. Leganes have already made enquiries, and Benfica in Portugal and Borussia Dortmund – two of Europe’s best clubs for developing young talent – are also said to be interested.

Paz changed agents a few months ago and could be the latest academy pearl to leave Madrid, but it would not be a surprise if a buyback clause was included in the terms of a potential sale.