Perez: €73m To Bring Zidane To Real Madrid Was Cheap
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Florentino Perez is currently the only man in the running for the Real Madrid presidency after rival Eduardo Garcia confirmed he was pulling out of the election race.
The 62-year-old has, therefore, moved a step closer to returning to the Bernabeu as the other two hopefuls, Juan Onieva and Eugenio Martinez Bravo, had already withdrawn.
As it stands, Perez - whose €57.4million (£50m) bank guarantee has met neccesary stipulations - is on course to be confirmed as Real president on Monday unless another candidate presents a bid before a deadline of 31st May.
Perez was previously at Real between 2000 and 2006 when he marked his tenure with a number of dazzling signings, dubbed the 'galacticos'.
And he is promising a return to the style of the beginning of the Millennium, saying: "We will build a spectacular team with top-notch players.
"We have set up a strong and stable sporting project which will be able to call upon footballers who will turn each Real Madrid match into a fascinating rendezvous."
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Perez confident of Kaka and Ronaldo deals
Perez is currently the only candidate for the post and, if no one else enters the running before the May 31 deadline, he will resume the role he held from 2000 to 2006.
And, after saying he feels ‘ashamed’ of what happened to the club’s reputation under Ramon Calderon – who stepped down after allegations of vote-rigging in relation to the financial budget – Perez has vowed to restore Madrid’s standing as a great side built on good values.
He told Marca: “I am ashamed that this institution, for which principles are absolutely vital, has for several years become associated with things that should not be associated with any institution – not least an institution like Madrid, which exists on the basis on fair values.”
On his previous spell at the club, he added: “It was a time when football became spectacular, when we thrilled the world as we took our values around the world.
“The quality of our players paid our debts and for new facilities.
“We went from losing €60 million to earning €60 million and now we must go further down this road.
“If we do not have great players, we will not have substantial income. We will have great players, which will increase revenue in the shortest time possible.”
Milan star Kaka is thought to be the first player Perez aims to sign, and he has hinted that a deal is a distinct possibility due to his relationship with the Italian side’s vice-president, Adriano Galliani.
“We are not going to speak to any clubs until the elections are over, but I’ve always had a great relationship with Galliani and maybe that will make it easier to bring Kaka to Madrid,” he said.
There has also been fresh speculation that Manchester United winger Ronaldo could be a target again this summer, and Perez has done little to play down the reports.
"He's also a player that would be very good if he came to Real Madrid,” he said.
“What I know is what I've read – that there is an agreement that would allow him to come for £80m.
"Next week we will look at the numbers and nobody should doubt that we are going to design a spectacular project with our sporting advisors."
He added: "When I enter Madrid, I will look at Ronaldo's supposed release-clause. It's very good but all release clauses are negotiable.
"I like him because he is one of the best in the world.”
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Perez: €73m To Bring Zidane To Real Madrid Was Cheap
The construction supremo has cheekily showed off his economic prowess as he prepares to regain control of Los Blancos.
“[Zinedine] Zidane cost €73 million and he was the cheapest player,” he added, referring to the fact that the Frenchman was worth every euro, as he had stated numerous times before.
Perez then assured that he will do his best to bring only the top superstars to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Madrid must have the best players in the world, the best Spanish players and the best youngsters,” he boasted.
“We will make an economic effort because the fans of Madrid need a small revolution. If we sign six or seven players, then ten will have to leave.”