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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has announced that the club will unveil its “first major signing for next season” this Thursday. The 79-year-old is currently engaged in a tightly contested race for the presidency, with club members preparing to cast their votes in what will be the first competitive election in twenty years.

Perez signals intent with major transfer tease

In keeping with his renowned “Galactico” philosophy, Perez appears set to flex Real Madrid’s financial might before the weekend. During an interview with El Espanyol, Perez confirmed that a significant addition to the squad is imminent, a move strategically timed to influence members ahead of Sunday’s vote. “This Thursday I’ll announce my first big signing for next season,” Perez stated. “Everyone knows my sporting vision: bringing in the best players and continuing our winning legacy.”

Although Perez avoided revealing the name of the incoming player, strong rumours have linked Real Madrid with Ibrahima Konate. The defender, currently a free agent after leaving Liverpool, is reportedly close to joining the Santiago Bernabeu side. The club is also believed to be pursuing Denzel Dumfries. Thursday’s announcement is expected to be just the beginning of a series of major updates from Perez as he aims to secure another term as president of the Spanish giants.

The first contested election in two decades

This election marks a significant chapter in Real Madrid’s history, as it is the first time since 2006 that Perez faces an official challenger. Having been elected unopposed in the last five elections, Perez now faces competition from 37-year-old entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme, who has entered the race with bold promises. Riquelme has pledged to appoint club legend Raul Gonzalez as sporting director and declared that Manchester City midfielder Rodri “is the kind of player who must play for Real Madrid.”

Perez, who served as president from 2000 to 2006 and again from 2009 to the present, is relying on his proven record of attracting world-class talent to counter Riquelme’s fresh appeal. The incumbent is confident that high-profile signings still carry immense weight with the club’s voting members, who will determine Real Madrid’s leadership direction this Sunday.

More star names and a new coach on the horizon

The anticipated signing is not the only reveal Perez plans before the election. Another crucial matter is the club’s managerial vacancy, with speculation intensifying that a familiar face could return to the dugout. Perez did not dismiss reports suggesting that Jose Mourinho, who managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, may be set for a comeback.

“Soon I’ll announce who Real Madrid’s new coach will be,” Perez noted during his interview. “We’ll have more names before Sunday, don’t worry.”

These announcements are clearly aimed at demonstrating that Perez already has a concrete roadmap for the upcoming season, contrasting with the less-defined proposals of his rival.

The battle over ownership and wealth

Beyond football matters, the election debate has also touched on the club’s ownership structure. Riquelme has openly criticised Perez’s plan to sell five per cent of the club to an external investor, arguing that it could undermine Real Madrid’s traditional member-owned model. Perez, however, maintains that his proposal is meant to strengthen the bond between the club and its supporters by transforming “emotional wealth” into something tangible that can be passed down through generations.

“With me, Madrid will always belong to its members,” Perez affirmed. “I want the members to be the owners of the club’s financial wealth. Right now, we are only owners of emotional wealth. I want to reinforce that connection and make it eternal, so that financial wealth can be inherited by your children or family. We’ll explore the right way to achieve it, debate it, and put it to a vote in a referendum among all members.”