Real Madrid president Florentino Perez confirms major summer signing
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed the club will unveil a major summer signing this Thursday ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
The 79-year-old incumbent is running for re-election this Sunday and has strategically timed the announcement to bolster his campaign.
Having presided over the Santiago Bernabeu outfit since 2009, the Spanish businessman is eager to rebuild following a difficult domestic and European season.
“This Thursday I’ll announce my first big signing for next season,” Perez told El Espanyol.
“Everyone knows my sporting project: having the best players, and carrying on winning.”
Mourinho poised for managerial return
Speculation is mounting that Jose Mourinho is waiting in the wings to be unveiled as the new permanent head coach.
The Portuguese tactician is expected to leave his current role at Benfica to replace interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa’s short-term tenure concluded without silverware after Los Blancos lost the La Liga title to Barcelona and suffered a Champions League quarter-final exit against Bayern Munich.
A return for the former Chelsea manager would mark his second stint in the Spanish capital.
His previous reign ended bitterly in 2013 following a trophyless season which he famously described as the worst of his career.
Defensive reinforcements on the horizon
Alongside a new manager, the Spanish giants are reportedly closing in on crucial defensive additions.
Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate is understood to be available as a free agent after contract negotiations collapsed at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries is also heavily linked with a switch to Spain.
Madrid are believed to have triggered a cut-price €20m release clause in the Dutch international’s contract.