Rabat – Real Madrid’s presidential race has taken another dramatic turn, with Florentino Perez promising a record transfer if he is re‑elected this weekend.
Appearing on Spanish TV show Horizonte, Perez said he would bid at least $150m for a mystery player next Tuesday, breaking the club’s record signing of Jude Bellingham from Dortmund two years ago.
He refused to reveal the name, only confirming the target was not in the Premier League.
“It’s not Haaland, but it’s a total galactico,” Perez said, stressing that Madrid would act seriously, unlike his rival Enrique Riquelme.
Riquelme’s bold campaign
The election is the first at the Bernabeu since 2006, with around 100,000 socios set to vote. Perez, president since 2000, remains the favorite, but Riquelme has added drama with bold promises.
On Wednesday night, the 37‑year‑old entrepreneur appeared on El Hormiguero, claiming he would bring Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and Rodri to Madrid.
He even held up a shirt with “Haaland 9” on the back, pledging to refund membership fees if he failed to deliver.
City quickly denied the claims, saying Haaland’s contract runs until 2034 with no release clause. Perez dismissed Riquelme’s words as a “bluff,” pointing out that Haaland’s father, agent, and club had all rejected the story.
“This is a candidacy with a lot of bluffs, and I am here to protect Madrid,” Perez said.
The outgoing president also confirmed that Jose Mourinho would return as coach if he wins, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate and Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries lined up as signings.
“Mourinho taught us a competitive spirit,” Perez said. “After he left, we won five European Cups thanks to that spirit.”
Campaign turns surreal
Perez’s team posted a video teasing Mourinho’s return while Riquelme was live on air, leaving the challenger momentarily unsettled.
Rumors later spread that the clip was AI‑generated, though Benfica announced Madrid would trigger Mourinho’s $15m release clause if Perez is re‑elected.
Riquelme, meanwhile, hinted he had another “super exciting” coach ready, fueling speculation about Mikel Arteta or Jurgen Klopp.
His promises echo Perez’s famous 2000 pledge to sign Luis Figo from Barcelona, which helped him win power.
Perez’s legacy and the final vote
Beyond the transfer talk, Perez reminded viewers of his record: seven Champions League trophies during his tenure, and Forbes valuing Madrid at $10bn. He contrasted this with the club’s financial struggles when he first took charge.
As the campaign heads into its final hours, Madrid fans are left guessing: who is Perez’s $150m target, and can Riquelme really deliver Haaland? The election has become less about policy and more about spectacle, fitting the reality‑TV style of modern politics.
Voting takes place on Sunday. Perez is still seen as the frontrunner, but Riquelme’s bold promises ensure the race remains unpredictable until the final ballots are counted.
