Real Madrid is owned entirely by members who decide its president. Each pay an annual fee of around \u00a3130 and nearly 100,000 of them will vote on Sunday. <\/p>\n
Following his first election in 2000, Perez pursued a ‘Galacticos’ policy of signing expensive world-class players including Luis Figo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.<\/p>\n
Real Madrid won two La Liga titles and a Champions League before Perez resigned in 2006 amid disappointing results. <\/p>\n
In 2009, he successfully stood for the presidency again unopposed and has done so a further four times in his 17-year second term. <\/p>\n
Trailing La Liga champions Barcelona by eight points, Real Madrid ended the 2025-26 season with no major trophies for the second season in a row.<\/p>\n
As the season drew to a close, Perez called a news conference in which he railed against the club’s enemies and urged those unhappy with his leadership to run against him for president.<\/p>\n
Renewable energy magnate Riquelme stepped forward, leaving Perez to compete with another candidate to retain his role for the first time in 20 years. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Perez promised voters he would initiate a Galacticos-style transfer bid days after he hopes to be re-elected.<\/p>\n
“I have some news for you,” he told Spanish TV show Horizonte. <\/p>\n
“On Tuesday or so, I’m going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player. It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history.”<\/p>\n
Perez was asked the identity of his target and the scale of the fee. <\/p>\n
“Olise is a great player but it’s not Olise,” Perez said. “It’s not Doku either.<\/p>\n
“We’re going to make a significant offer, at least around 150m. <\/p>\n
“He needs to be a player from midfield who can go forward. And it’s not Haaland. <\/p>\n
“The player is not from the Premier League. And the first thing we’ll do is talk to the club. <\/p>\n
“It’s a signing meant to generate excitement because that’s what it’s all about, generating excitement.”<\/p>\n