Inter Milan remain laser-focused on bringing Nico Paz back to Serie A, but the path to securing the young Argentine star is anything but straightforward. Real Madrid are expected to trigger their €9 million buyback clause this summer, yet uncertainty lingers over whether Paz will stay at the Santiago Bernabéu for the 2025-26 campaign.

The Nerazzurri have been cultivating ties with Paz and his camp for months, with club legend Javier Zanetti—a close friend of Paz's father, Pablo—playing a key role in the courtship. Real Madrid, however, boast a wealth of attacking midfield options, including Arda Güler, Brahim Díaz, and rising prospect Franco Mastantuono, which could push Paz down the pecking order.

Interestingly, Inter might receive an unexpected assist from a familiar face. José Mourinho is currently the frontrunner to take over the Real Madrid dugout, and if the Portuguese tactician opts for different personnel, Paz could become available. But even then, acquiring him would be a monumental task. According to Mediaset, Tottenham Hotspur tabled a staggering €70 million bid late in the last summer window—only for both Como and Real Madrid to reject it outright. That price tag remains a massive hurdle.

Como, where Paz has blossomed this season, haven't thrown in the towel either. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that if the Rossoblù can leapfrog Juventus and Roma to secure a top-four finish, their chances of reuniting with the starlet would skyrocket. For Inter, the tactical fit is promising: Paz's evolution into a box-to-box midfielder could see him slot seamlessly alongside Hakan Çalhanoğlu, much like Piotr Zieliński has done this term.

Still, the Nerazzurri will need patience, a stroke of luck, and a significant cash injection from player sales to truly compete. For now, the chase continues—and the drama is only just beginning.