Real Madrid to 'launch stunning bid' for Liverpool star after Florentino Perez wins election
Florentino Perez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president after the club's first contested election in 20 years.
Perez saw off a challenge from rival candidate, Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old businessman who had campaigned on a platform of appointing Jurgen Klopp and signing Erling Haaland and Rodri following a trophy-less season at the Bernabeu.
Perez, who has led the club since 2009 after an initial spell between 2000 and 2006, secured 21,741 votes to his rival's 11,814.
After declaring victory, Perez said: "We've obtained the second-best result in the history of Real Madrid [elections]. It's an extraordinary result... Today, Real Madrid won.
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"We've shown an example of democracy to the world. We'll keep working for Real Madrid to keep winning trophies... I want to thank everyone who participated. Together, we have a lot of history left to make."
Jose Mourinho is now set to make a stunning return as manager, re-joining the club he led between 2010 and 2013. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player after leaving Liverpool on a free transfer with Denzel Dumfries also expected to arrive from Inter Milan.
Following Konate's departure, Liverpool now face losing another key man, according to reports, as Ryan Gravenberch has emerged as Real Madrid's next target, with Perez poised to test the Reds' resolve for one of the best midfielders in European football as per Fichajes.
The Dutchman was a standout across Liverpool's title-winning campaign but struggled last season in what would prove to be Arne Slot's final season at the club.
New manager Andoni Iraola, whose high-pressing system has drawn widespread admiration, loves his midfielders to progress with the ball from deep meaning the Dutch midfielder looks perfect for the new style of play set to be implemented at Anfield.
Gravenberch penned a new long-term contract at Liverpool back in March and are believed to have no intention to allow him to depart.
Perez also pledged ahead of the election to send a âŹ150m bid for an unnamed Galactico signing this week.
Vitinha, Joao Neves and Michael Olise are all believed to be under consideration for the move that would shock world football but both Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have maintained their star players will be going nowhere this summer.
Marcus Banks