News Focus
- Florentino Perez promises a €150 million club-record offer for a mystery attacker if he wins Sunday’s election
- The Real Madrid president rules out moves for Harry Kane, Michel Olise, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland
- Manchester City threaten legal action against rival candidate Enrique Riquelme over Haaland comments
- Perez also reveals agreed deals for manager Jose Mourinho and defenders Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate
- Club members will vote on Sunday after Real Madrid finished eight points behind Barcelona with no major trophies
Florentino Perez has vowed to make history at Real Madrid. The current president says he will offer €150 million (£130 million) for a top attacker if members re-elect him on Sunday.
Perez spoke to Spanish television this week. He said the bid would be the largest in the club’s history. However, he refused to name the player. He only said the star plays in midfield but can attack. He also confirmed the player does not play in the Premier League.
The 79-year-old leader clearly stated who he is not targeting. Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane is not the player. Neither is Crystal Palace winger Michel Olise nor Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku. Perez also ruled out Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
This last point is important. Rival candidate Enrique Riquelme had promised to sign Haaland earlier this week. Manchester City reacted angrily. The club says there is “no chance” of selling the Norwegian star. They are now threatening to take legal action against Riquelme.
The election takes place this Sunday. Nearly 100,000 club members will vote. Each member pays about £130 per year to own part of the famous club. This is the first time Perez has faced competition in 20 years. Riquelme, a businessman who works in renewable energy, is challenging him.
Perez first became president in 2000. He started the “Galacticos” policy then. This meant buying expensive world-class stars like Luis Figo, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane. He left office in 2006 but returned in 2009. He has won every election since then without opposition.
This season has been difficult. Real Madrid finished eight points behind La Liga champions Barcelona. They won no major trophies for the second year running. Perez recently called a press conference. He attacked the club’s enemies and asked unhappy fans to stand against him.
If he wins, Perez says other deals are ready. Jose Mourinho will return as manager. The club will also sign defender Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate will join too. His contract at Anfield will not be renewed.
Perez wants to excite the fans. “It’s a signing meant to generate excitement because that’s what it’s all about,” he said. The football world now waits to see who will become Madrid’s most expensive player ever.