Jacobo Ramon, Alvaro Morata, Como players
Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images
Jacobo Ramon is one of the many Real Madrid talents currently developing at an external club in the hope of securing a return home someday.
Los Blancos sold the player to Como last summer but continue to retain a major stake in his rights, as has been the policy with all youth sales in recent times.
They pocketed a sum of €2.5 million for Ramon’s transfer to Como permanently, but Los Blancos not only retained 50% of his rights but also multiple buy-back options on him.
Interest from London
During the recently concluded summer transfer window, Premier League giants Arsenal were linked with a move for Ramon and monitored him closely. Eventually, however, the deal did not work out.
Jacobo Ramon of Como
Ramon has grown well in Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
As confirmed by BBC Sport, the Gunners were indeed interested in signing the La Fabrica talent in the summer transfer window and were monitoring his situation in Serie A closely.
However, certain clauses in his current contract made it difficult for a move to materialise and complicated the affair. Thus, an agreement could not be reached an Arsenal moved on to other targets.
Real Madrid’s tight grip
While there is no clarity on the nature of the clauses that complicated Arsenal’s dream of signing Ramon, they likely had to do with Real Madrid’s stake in the player.
Jacobo Ramon, Como player
Will Arsenal return for the player? (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Having multiple buy-back options on the young defender and also holding 50% of his rights, Real Madrid have a tight grip over the young talent’s future.
For Arsenal to sign him, thus, would not only require them to convince the player and his current club but also Florentino Perez and Co., making it an elaborate process of approvals for a simple transfer.
It remains to be seen what materialises for Ramon’s future in the coming transfer windows, and Real Madrid’s decision on his clauses will play a major part in the same.
Given how the club have reinforced the defence and will likely push for another elite centre-back next summer, it is unlikely for Ramon to have a realistic chance of making it big at the club of his dreams.
Real Madrid could, however, buy the player back and act as an intermediary before selling him for a profit, just as they did with Nico Paz.
Nico Paz of Como
Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Real Madrid pulled off a masterstroke with Nico Paz’s situation this summer as they utilised the buy-back clause on the young star to earn a profit on him.
Shining bright at Como, Paz was happy at the Serie A club and only wished to continue in Italy. Los Blancos, however, bought him back and enabled a deal where Como were forced to shell out a larger sum for him.
Eventually, the deal closed with Como paying Real Madrid €60 million for Paz. However, they still do not have complete control over his future as Real Madrid have kept a buyback clause of €80 million valid for next summer.
Arsenal are monitoring Paz
As confirmed in a recent update on BBC Sport, Arsenal admire Nico Paz and see him as a special player with sky-high potential.
Nico Paz and Enzo Fernandez, Argentina players
Arsenal are interested in Paz. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
The Gunners reportedly saw him as a strong alternative to reinforce the midfield this summer, but eventually did not go for him.
Notably, the English outlet confirms that Paz will continue to be a realistic target for Arsenal in the coming transfer windows and that they will continue to maintain a close eye on his situation. A lot, needless to say, will depend on his trajectory this season.
A second chance for Real Madrid?
The new contract Paz has with Como has been designed such that the Italian club stand to benefit if Real Madrid chooses to use their buyback clause next summer.
Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez of Real Madrid
Can Perez pull off another masterstroke? (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
Having bought him for €60 million, they will receive €80 million back if Real Madrid signs the player back – thereby netting a €20 million profit.
Real Madrid, however, can still look to use the situation to their advantage once more. Arsenal’s interest in the player is crucial for that plan.
Given the inflation in the Premier League market, another strong season for Paz can see his price tag soar beyond the €100 million mark.
In such a scenario, Los Blancos can look to repeat the same formula by acting as an intermediary. After all, their €80 million investment to buy him back can be compensated with a handy profit if Arsenal shell out a massive sum.