Florentino Perez: Real Madrid’s Next Signing Will Be Today Or Tomorrow

The ‘White House’ supremo has warned that the club are ready to splash their cash again…
01-Jul-2009 5:26:18 AM

After a hugely successful presentation ceremony for Kaka at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid will now move on to their next galactic transfer target.

Ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s own presentation next week on July 6, Los Blancos are hoping to complete yet another signing, and, according to president Florentino Perez, it could happen any time between the next 24 to 48 hours.

“The next signing will be either today [Wednesday] or tomorrow,” he declared on Cadena SER programme ‘El Larguero’, “but I cannot say who until the deal is done.”

When asked whether it could be David Villa or Diego Forlan, Perez replied, “You are putting me in a tight spot.

“I like both of them, but Valencia want to keep Villa and Atletico want Forlan to stay. And if that’s the case we won’t be able to sign either.

“We are not going to do anything that Valencia and their fans would not like. Their club president wants Villa to remain and I respect that. I understand that and I am fine with their decision, because they want to send a message that they are eager to build a team that can win the league.”

The ‘Casa Blanca’ chief was then given another opportunity to explain and defend his exorbitant spending, which has drawn worldwide criticism.

“The criticism has come from those who are not of Madrid, which is logical,” he explained. “But this is not an expenditure… it’s an investment.

“From a business point of view, when you buy an equipment, it produces revenue and the equipment for us are the big players. And if you invest in them, they will bring you returns.”

Finally, Perez laughed off talks that he is power-hungry and arrogant as he sent out a message to his close rival, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who has been critical of Madrid’s club model and transfer policies.

He said, “It doesn’t bother me. It only motivates me to make an extra effort. Madrid doesn’t belong to any one person. We belong to the members and we have shown a spirit of sacrifice, respect for opponents and fair play. We are closer to humility than arrogance.

“I have supported this club since I was small and ever since [Alfredo] Di Stefano arrived it has always been a strategy of Santiago Bernabeu: to bring the best players and win the heart of the fans.”

KS Leong, Goal.com