As the Real Madrid presidential election unfolds, Florentino Pérez appeared on the local media program Horizonte today for an exclusive interview. During the show, Pérez personally confirmed that the signings of José Mourinho, Ibrahima Konaté, and Denzel Dumfries have been finalized, with an additional "Galáctico-level" blockbuster offer for a superstar set to be made next week.
On the club’s value
Florentino Pérez: According to Forbes, the club is valued at €10 billion. When I first took over, we couldn’t even pay the players’ salaries. I had to provide personal guarantees. The players weren’t receiving any wages at all. That was the situation I inherited, and now it has become the most valuable club in the world.
They valued us at €10 billion, but I think they’ve underestimated us… This has always been a great club. There was a great president who inaugurated the stadium in 1947. Back then, a wave of revolution was sweeping through, building large stadiums, and he did it when there was nothing here. A myth and a legend were born. I have been continuing this legacy.
I don’t remember the first match I watched at the Santiago Bernabéu. My father used to take me to the stadium, that was three or four years ago… but I really can’t recall which match it was.
On José Mourinho
Florentino Pérez: He’s coming to manage Real Madrid next season. I’m extremely excited about this. We know him well; he taught us how to compete. He led the team to a record-breaking La Liga title, and after he left, we won six more UEFA Champions League trophies, which is a testament to our competitive spirit.
We believe he can reignite the team’s passion. Mourinho managed here for three years, and we only started winning after he left. You need both hands to be strong, and Mourinho has both. He arrived here with two Champions League titles. The head coach is the one who makes the decisions; managing 25 players, all of whom are excellent, is not easy.
On Rickelme’s claim to sign Haaland
Florentino Pérez: Everyone has denied it—the father, the agent, the club… It’s all bluster. This election is filled with too much bluster. I don’t want someone who would destabilize the club doing my job.
On transfers
Florentino Pérez: Mourinho and Konaté are on the verge of joining… Now I want to talk about Dumfries. He’s a very talented right-back. But we will also bring in quality players in other positions. I will soon make an offer to a UEFA Champions League club, this coming Tuesday, which will be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid for a player—at least €150 million.
He’s not Doku, nor Haaland, nor Kane… but he’s an attacking midfielder/forward, a true superstar. And he’s not a Premier League player. He is definitely a Galáctico-level player. But first, we will talk to the club; we won’t act like that guy (Rickelme).
That’s all I’ll say for now—everyone can wait and see next week.
