Inter Milan Plans to Use Palestra Funds to Get Nico Paz from Real Madrid
June 25, 2026 · Global
Inter Milan plans to use funds from Marco Palestra's transfer to Chelsea to recruit Nico Paz from Real Madrid. They hope to compete with Como who also want to keep Paz.
Inter Milan is facing disappointment after Marco Palestra decided to join Chelsea this week. However, the latest report states that the Nerazzurri are now planning to divert funds prepared for the Palestra to recruit Nico Paz from Real Madrid. Denzel Dumfries is certain to join Real Madrid after his release clause was activated this month, and Inter are hoping to replace Dumfries with young Italian talent Palestra. However, Palestra, who is on loan at Cagliari until 2025-26, opted to join Chelsea in a deal worth €60 million on a five- or six-year deal, with a salary double that on offer in Italy.
Previously, it was reported that Oaktree Inter's ownership group had prepared €50 million to bring in Palestra this summer. With Palestra going to Chelsea and Dumfries to Madrid for a fee of around €20 million, Inter are now thought to have €70 million to spend before selling another player. According to Corriere dello Sport, these funds could potentially be used to bring in Nico Paz. Paz has spent the last two seasons in Serie A with Como, picking up the league's best U23 player award in 2025-26.
Real Madrid have an option to buy back the Argentina international for around €10m-€11m this summer, and it is reported they will activate this option to then sell him for around €60m. Currently, there is competition between Como and Inter for Paz. Como's sporting director, Carlalberto Ludi, is in Madrid to discuss the possibility of keeping Paz for another season. Como hopes to convince Madrid to let Paz stay at the Stadio Sinigaglia for one season, and then activate the buy-back option next season. The potential appeal for Madrid in this scenario is that Paz's market value could increase further than €60 million if he plays in the Champions League under Cesc Fabregas.
On the other hand, Inter hopes that Madrid will activate the buy-back clause this summer and are willing to sell the Argentinian immediately. There are hopes that Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez can help convince Paz while the pair are in Argentina's 2026 World Cup camp. However, Corriere dello Sport warns that if Inter manage to reach a deal for Paz, they will likely abandon their search for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.
