Real Madrid target meets with Inter Milan vice-president

Milan—A quiet dinner in the fashion capital this week has set tongues wagging across European football, after Como midfielder and Real Madrid loanee Nico Paz was spotted breaking bread with Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti.

The 19-year-old, whose season-long loan at Como has become one of the standout success stories among recent Madrid departures, joined his father for an evening at Bonito, the Milan restaurant owned by Zanetti. Also seated at the table were members of the Argentine icon’s family and fellow Nerazzurri legend Diego Milito, creating a distinctly South-American flavour to the gathering.

While Inter have long admired Paz—publicly praising his development under Cesc Fabregas without ever launching an official pursuit—the face-to-face encounter has fuelled speculation that the Serie A giants may attempt to gazump Real Madrid’s planned reunion with the midfielder.

Los Blancos retain buy-back rights set at €10 million for summer 2026 and €11 million for 2027, figures that now look like bargains against a market valuation that has soared to between €60 million and €70 million on the back of his consistent performances in Italy’s top flight.

Sources close to the club stress that Madrid’s intention remains unchanged: trigger the clause and bring Paz back to the Spanish capital at the earliest opportunity. Yet the midfield starlet’s rising stock ensures a queue of admirers, with Inter foremost among them.

Whether Tuesday’s dinner was purely social or contained a transfer sub-plot is unclear. Inter have yet to table any formal offer, and neither party has commented on the nature of the discussions. What is certain is that every public appearance involving one of Europe’s most coveted teenagers will be dissected until his long-term future is resolved.

Real Madrid hierarchy will hope the next time Paz is photographed in Milan, it is wearing their white strip rather than lingering over dessert with the club’s Italian suitors.