Overview
- Challenger Enrique Riquelme told a TV audience he would sign Erling Haaland and Rodri if elected and theatrically held up a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name during his appearance on El Hormiguero on Wednesday.
- Within hours Haaland’s father and agent issued a joint statement denying any agreement, and Manchester City released an official rebuttal saying the stories are untrue and that it is considering legal action over use of the player’s image.
- Riquelme’s campaign says the announcements were campaign promises and the candidate has offered a notarised guarantee to refund members’ fees if he fails to deliver the named signings.
- Incumbent Florentino Pérez has countered with his own high-profile moves, including promoting Jose Mourinho as his potential coach, turning the June 7 member vote into a contrast between theatrical transfer pledges and established club plans.
- Haaland is under a long-term City contract through 2034 with no public release clause, making an immediate transfer legally and financially difficult and underscoring the gap between campaign rhetoric and market realities.