Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has vowed to pay the biggest transfer fee in the club’s history if he is re-elected, with three stars reportedly under consideration to become their latest ‘Galactico’ signing.
Members will vote to re-elect either incumbent Perez or challenger Enrique Riquelme, with the presidential election taking place on Sunday.
Riquelme, 37, has already claimed he will sign Erling Haaland if he is successful, with the promise having been met by a furious response from Manchester City.
Perez, who has confirmed Jose Mourinho will be appointed as manager if re-elected, has now vowed to make an offer of around 150 million euros (£130m) for an attacking player.
The 79-year-old made the claim on Spanish TV show Horizonte, but denied Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Man City’s Jeremy Doku or Haaland were under consideration.
‘On Tuesday or so, I’m going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player,’ Perez said.
Florentino Perez has vowed to make the biggest transfer offer in Real Madrid’s history
Perez has denied Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise will be the subject of the offer, but reports in Spain claim the French star is being considered
‘It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history.
‘Olise is a great player but it’s not Olise, it’s not Doku either.
‘We’re going to make a significant offer, at least around 150m.
‘He needs to be a player from midfield who can go forward and it’s not Haaland, the player is not from the Premier League,
‘The first thing we’ll do is talk to the club.
‘It’s a signing meant to generate excitement because that’s what it’s all about, generating excitement.’
Jude Bellingham is currently Real Madrid’s record signing, with the Spanish giants having spent an initial £88.5million fee, rising to £113m, to sign the England star from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Olise is one of the three candidates being considered by Real Madrid, despite Perez’s denials.
The report claims Perez was impressed with Olise’s performances when Bayern Munich knocked Real Madrid out of last season’s Champions League.
The French international scored 22 goals and provided 31 assists for Bayern in 52 matches last season, including having 12 goal involvements in 13 Champions League games.
Enrique Riquelme (pictured) pledged to sign Erling Haaland if he wins Real Madrid’s presidential election, but his act has led to the threat of legal action from Manchester City
Jose Mourinho (right) will be the new Real Madrid manager if Florentino Perez (left) is re-elected
Portuguese duo Joao Neves and Vitinha, who have been central to PSG earning back-to-back Champions League titles, are also said to be under consideration despite the expectation any deal would prove difficult to achieve.
Perez has been famed for his ‘Galacticos’ policy at Real Madrid, which he first implemented after his initial election victory in 2000.
The Spaniard famously signed Luis Figo from rivals Barcelona, while Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham were among high-profile arrivals in his first spell as president, which lasted until 2006.
Perez returned as president in 2009 and has remained in the role ever since, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Gareth Bale among the big-money signings made under him.
Elections were called by Perez last month in response to criticism of his leadership after a second consecutive season without silverware.
Mourinho is set to officially be confirmed as Real Madrid’s manager for a second time upon Perez’s re-election, with the veteran boss taking charge after a season clouded by in-fighting between players, an early Champions League exit, and Barcelona steaming to the LaLiga title.
Former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, as well as Dutch right back Denzel Dumfries, are expected to join.
Perez’s challenger Riquelme caused controversy this week by holding up a Real Madrid shirt featuring Haaland’s name on television this week, as he vowed to sign the Man City forward.
Man City reacted furiously to Riquelme’s act and stated that the club are considering legal action.
‘The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue,’ a club spokesperson said.
There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it. We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.’
