Pérez Sets Date for Real Madrid's First Major Transfer Announcement

Florentino Pérez, candidate for Real Madrid's presidency, has scheduled the announcement of the club’s first significant transfer for the upcoming season, emphasizing his sports project aims to continue attracting top players and maintaining a winning streak.

The Real Madrid elections are set for the coming Sunday, featuring a fierce contest between Pérez and businessman Enrique Riquelme.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper "El Español," Pérez stated, "I will announce the first major Real Madrid signing for the next season on Thursday."

Earlier reports indicated that Real Madrid had secured deals for Ibrahima Konaté, following the expiration of his contract with Liverpool, and Denzel Dumfries, by activating the release clause in his Inter Milan contract.

According to "AS" newspaper, Pérez added, "Everyone knows my sports project: to have the best players and continue achieving victories."

He further mentioned that the announcement of the new coach would be made soon and that additional names would be revealed before Sunday.

"Don't worry. People do not doubt this because they know me. I have always inspired enthusiasm during my 23 years as president. Those who know me understand that the best players will be at Real Madrid and that we will win the Champions League," Pérez said.

Regarding potential signings involving Riquelme and Raúl González as sporting director, Pérez commented, "I think it’s okay, although I don’t know if he has spoken with Raúl. Player agents call me saying Riquelme talks to players and tells them, 'Don’t refuse.' I don’t believe a word he says."

He continued, "Among the signings mentioned by Rodri, it’s clear the deal did not happen. Everything Riquelme says is like a soap opera: 'Everything is a lie.' He says he is coming to save Real Madrid, then has to borrow a large sum for his company at 54% interest. That is illogical."

Explaining the reason behind calling for elections, Pérez said, "I sensed a movement originating from those who were part of Real Madrid’s darkest periods, those who lived through the cursed years 2006-2009. Riquelme’s father was also with Calderón."

"After twenty years, the children or relatives of that era are running. All the villains are gathered here: Calderón’s followers, Tebas’s followers, the union’s followers. Those who experienced that cursed period want to reclaim Real Madrid at any cost. They want to keep the club for their personal interests, something I have never done in these 26 years since my election," he added.

Addressing Riquelme’s accusations that the club is in debt, Pérez stated, "If the other candidate says we are in debt, and we are the richest club in the world, what about the other Spanish teams? It is false to claim an evaluation is needed to obtain a loan for renovating the Bernabéu. The loan interest rate is below 3%, and one billion euros remain to be paid. The stadium cost is paid annually from the revenue it already generates."

He continued, "Regarding Bloomberg’s report about the bridge loan Riquelme requested for his company at 54% interest, that is a completely different matter. It is a risky operation. We have to pay 60 million euros annually for the Bernabéu, half of which is interest and the other half the loan principal. We can meet these payments because the profit from the new seats alone is 150 million euros. I want this project to be used to continue competing."

"I represent the members, and as in my company, I care about their interests. I fight daily to ensure this asset transfers to Real Madrid, so I would like to evaluate the club. Furthermore, to reassure members before Sunday’s match, if an investor enters with one, two, or three percent, it will be without any authority or control," Pérez explained.

He emphasized, "I confirm again that all members will vote on this matter in a referendum. This is possible because I amended the statutes to ensure all transactions occur this way. This investor could be a major brand seeking association with Real Madrid, but it will have no rights whatsoever. The club’s ownership will remain entirely with the members."

Regarding the Real Madrid City project, Pérez explained, "When I arrived, the Castillana training complex was in ruins. Zidane once wanted to train there but couldn’t because the under-18 team was already training. That is why I searched all over Madrid until I found Valdebebas. I have always dreamed of a technological center like Silicon Valley, which the Dallas Mavericks already have in the United States."

"Valdebebas will be the best center in Europe, without a doubt. And over time, it will generate a lot of money. We are working to increase Real Madrid’s assets, which belong to its members. Now the other candidate says he wants to build padel tennis courts or swimming pools... That is like owning a billion-dollar plot on Paseo de la Castellana and wanting to put some swings on it," he added.

Pérez continued, "I think Riquelme covets Real Madrid, but he is not skilled in business. Look, if there is one thing I excel at, it is numbers, right? The Real Madrid I found didn’t even have enough to pay salaries, and look at the club’s current situation."

Concluding his remarks about events at Santiago Bernabéu, he said, "We will work with the authorities to determine what can be done, but all singers who come to Europe want to perform at the Bernabéu. Even the Pope wants to come to the Bernabéu. Anyone who criticizes the stadium does not respect Real Madrid, and I am not one of them. This major change we made generates huge revenue, allowing us to become the richest club in the world."