Real Madrid ready to sell teenage star from academy this summer – Reports
Real Madrid are reportedly looking to jettison promising academy midfielder Nico Paz. That’s despite the 19-year-old being on the cusp of breaking into the first team.
It’s pertinent to note that Los Blancos have sold multiple academy talents – including Rafa Marin, Alex Jimenez and Peter Federico – over the last few weeks. As per The Athletic (via Football Espana), Paz is also set to be on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Paz is with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad that’s touring the United States for pre-season. Following his recent change of agency, Madrid reckon he wants to move out. The reigning Spanish and European champions would want the teenager to remain in La Liga, though.
In the absence of the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, Ancelotti has called up to 12 youth-team players from La Fabrica (the factory) for the pre-season opener with AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Wedneday (July 31).
The boss explained the presence of a plethora of youth players in the pre-season squad (as per The Athletic):
“They want to learn, to listen, to improve. They all have quality. I don’t know if they will play for Madrid, but they have a future (in elite football).”
Los Blancos are coming off an impressive 2023-24 season, winning three titles, including a second La Liga-UEFA Champions League double in three years.
A look at Real Madrid’s 2024-25 pre-season
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid commence their pre-season with a friendly with AC Milan – as mentioned above – in Chicago on Tuesday. Following that, they take on arch-rivals Barcelona at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey three days later.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side then end their tour of the States with a clash with Premier League giants Chelsea on August 6 at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.
Los Blancos open their 2024-25 season with a UEFA Super Cup clash with reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw on August 14 before opening their La Liga title defence at Mallorca four days later.
