Updated: 2 Jun 2026 15:33 BST |
4 min read
Incoming Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been handed a major transfer boost after Florentino Perez vowed to strengthen the squad if he retains his presidency in the upcoming elections.
Widespread reports have indicated Mourinho has signed a three-year deal to return to La Liga giants Real, with official confirmation to follow the presidential elections which take place on Sunday, 7 June.
Current president Perez called the elections on 12 May and faces competition from renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme. He is the only candidate challenging Perez, who has stood unopposed in the club’s last four electoral cycles in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.
Ahead of Mourinho’s imminent arrival, there has been widespread speculation regarding who the Portuguese would look to sign in an attempt to make Real a force in the 2026-27 season.
Los Blancos, who posted their second successive season without a trophy in 2025-26, have been linked with a host of players including Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand.
Spanish publication Diario AS claims Mourinho – who is set to leave Benfica to return to Real, whom he managed between 2010 and 2013 – has told Perez he wants to sign at least one central defender, at least one full-back and two central midfielders in the summer transfer window.
And now in quotes carried by the same publication, Perez looks set to grant Mourinho’s wishes after making it clear money will be made available if he defeats Riquelme in the presidential elections.
“New stars will come, new additions,” the 79-year-old said. “We know what reinforcements we need and here they will be next season wearing the Real Madrid shirt.
“With me as president, the members are and will always be the owners of Real Madrid. The best players in the world will always play with me and this year too. Real Madrid doesn’t improvise. Let’s vote on Sunday for the present and future of Real Madrid. We have a lot of history left to do.”
Riquelme wants Raul as Real sporting director – but refuses to mention Mourinho
Meanwhile, in an interview with Spanish outlet Cadena SER, via ESPN, Riquelme has promised to name Real legend Raul as the club’s sporting director if he defeats Perez in the elections.
Real do not currently have a sporting director in place, with director general Jose Angel Sanchez and chief scout Juni Calafat currently acting as the club’s main decision-makers under Perez’s guidance.
Riquelme is yet to say who would be Real’s next head coach if he were to win the elections, however.
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