Real Madrid’s presidential election campaign has seen some big statements being made in the last few days, first by businessman Enrique Riquelme, who promised Erling Haaland and is even considering bringing in Jurgen Klopp as head coach.
Now, on Thursday, Florentino Perez made a bombshell announcement, confirming that the club are preparing to make the most expensive signing in their history.
“I’m going to make an offer to a Champions League club soon, on Tuesday, which will be the biggest payment Real Madrid has ever made for a player, at least 150 million.
“It’s not Olise, he’s a great player but it’s not him; it’s not Doku, it’s not Haaland, it’s not Kane. And it’s not from the Premier League. It’s a total Galactico,” Perez stated.
Three names on the radar
Olise could still be an option at Real Madrid. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Despite Perez’s denials, Diario AS reports that all signs point to three names as the main candidates: Michael Olise, Vitinha and Joao Neves.
Olise, a French international of English-Nigerian descent currently at Bayern Munich, impressed Perez during the Champions League quarter-final in which Bayern eliminated Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old has made 107 appearances for Bayern, scoring 42 goals and providing 54 assists, and is valued at €150 million. His contract runs until 2029.
PSG duo complicate matters
The other two names are teammates at PSG.
Vitinha and Joao Neves are potential targets at Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Vitinha has been instrumental in the French club’s back-to-back Champions League triumphs, playing 50 matches this season with seven goals and ten assists.
Joao Neves, just 21, was the standout performer in the Champions League final against Arsenal and carries a market value of €140 million.
Both are represented by Jorge Mendes, whose restored relationship with Real Madrid could prove significant. However, PSG are not a selling club by nature, making either deal extremely complex.
Real Madrid are not willing to strain relations with the French champions, but Perez has made clear he is prepared to break the club’s transfer record to land his Galactico.
