Real Madrid Presidential Candidate Stays Firm on Erling Haaland Deal

After going trophyless for two straight seasons, Real Madrid were expected to head into the upcoming summer transfer window with more intent and commitment towards reinfusing their squad for the new campaign.

Now, as it seems, the stakes have just started to get bigger. With the presidential elections right around the corner, the two candidates, Florentino Perez and Enrique Riquelme, are seemingly pulling out their best cards in order to convince the members who will cast their votes this Sunday.

Perez has claimed to bring in Jose Mourinho as the new manager of Los Blancos, and reports have suggested that the club and the veteran manager have a verbal agreement in place. Additionally, the incumbent president claimed he would sign Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer once he is elected.

On the other hand, Riquelme just dropped a bombshell last night with the announcement of Erling Haaland and Rodri as his superstar signings once he gets elected, and the businessman also claimed that he will pay 100% of the membership fees of Real Madrid’s members if he fails to make those signings.

Quite naturally, Haaland's camp immediately denied the claims, saying, "All very entertaining but not true, we wish all the best for both candidates in the Madrid elections."

To which Riquelme has now given some clarification during an interview with Diario AS, saying, "Well, it’s part of the game. The same thing happened with Figo. This is football. Protecting the player is normal."

The candidate also added, "We spoke beforehand and afterward, including with Pablo, Rodri’s representative. I know perfectly well that we also have to speak with City, and I said that yesterday."

Just as Riquelme mentioned, back in the summer of 2000, a quite similar incident occurred: the then-candidate, who would later become president, claimed to sign Barcelona star Luis Figo following his victory in the presidential elections.

Despite the denials from Figo's camp, the Portuguese legend decided to join Barca's fierce rivals on a record transfer fee, as Perez kept his promise after becoming the president of Los Blancos.

Even if Haaland and Riquelme have an agreement in place, it is quite obvious that there will be denials from the player's side as the Norwegian is currently under contract with City and will certainly not like to get involved in any controversy ahead of the World Cup, where he will represent his country.

Before Riquelme tries to sign Haaland and Rodri, he will certainly need to win the elections on 7th June, where he seems to be an underdog, as fans and members await any further promises ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.