Inter Milan Eyes Nico Paz as Denzel Dumfries Replacement and Palestra Alternative

Inter Milan faces a potential midfield reshuffle with reports suggesting they are interested in signing Real Madrid’s Nico Paz. This pursuit comes as the club anticipates the departure of Denzel Dumfries and has been disappointed by Marco Palestra’s decision to join Chelsea.

Palestra’s move to Stamford Bridge for a reported €60 million fee means Inter will not be acquiring the young Italian talent they had targeted. This development, coupled with Dumfries’s imminent transfer to Real Madrid for approximately €20 million, leaves Inter with a significant transfer budget to allocate.

Por que importa

The Nerazzurri had reportedly earmarked €50 million for Palestra’s signing, with the understanding that further signings would depend on player sales. However, with Dumfries’s departure and Palestra heading to England, Inter’s financial picture for the summer transfer window has shifted considerably, potentially freeing up around €70 million before other player sales are considered.

Nico Paz, an Argentine international who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Como 1907 in Serie A, has emerged as a key target. Paz was recognized as the Serie A U23 Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season, highlighting his considerable potential.

Real Madrid holds a buy-back option for Paz, believed to be in the region of €10 million to €11 million. The Spanish giants are expected to exercise this option with the intention of then selling the attacker on for a substantially higher fee, potentially around €60 million.

This creates a complex transfer scenario involving Como, Inter, and Real Madrid. Como’s sporting director, Carlalberto Ludi, is reportedly in Madrid to discuss the possibility of keeping Paz at the Stadio Sinigaglia for another season. Como’s hope is that Real Madrid would activate their buy-back clause next summer, allowing Paz to continue his development in Serie A, potentially increasing his market value further, especially if he were to feature in the Champions League under Cesc Fabregas.

Inter, on the other hand, is pushing for an immediate sale this summer after Real Madrid activates their buy-back clause. The club is also reportedly hoping that Inter captain Lautaro Martinez might leverage his relationship with Paz within the Argentina national team setup to influence the player’s decision.

Should Inter successfully secure a deal for Nico Paz, it is understood that they would likely abandon their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.

Key facts

This developing transfer saga underscores Inter Milan’s strategic moves in the transfer market, aiming to secure promising talent while navigating the departures of key players. The potential acquisition of Nico Paz could represent a significant investment for the Nerazzurri, bolstering their squad for future campaigns.

Source: Football Italia – https://football-italia.net/inter-could-reinvest-palestra-funds-on-paz/