Real Madrid: Florentino Perez reveals 'first big signing' with announcement imminent | OneFootball

Three star names have been linked heavily with moves to Madrid

Florentino Perez has confirmed that Real Madrid will unveil their “first big signing” of the summer this week.

The 79-year-old is running for re-election as the club’s president this week, with elections taking place on Sunday.

Hence, the businessman, who has presided over Madrid since 2009, has timed his announcement well ahead of the vote this weekend.

Speaking to El Espanyol, Perez said: "This Thursday I'll announce my first big signing for next season," Perez said. "Everyone knows my sporting project: having the best players, and carrying on winning."

There is great anticipation for who the announcement might be, with Jose Mourinho waiting in the wings to be revealed as the club’s new manager.

The Portuguese will return for a second stint in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout, having been sacked first time around at the end of the 2012-13 season, which he labelled “the worst of my career” after Madrid failed to win a trophy that campaign.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss is set to leave his position as manager of Benfica to take over the reins from Alvaro Arbeloa, who saw his short-term tenure come to an end after his side were beaten to the La Liga title by Barcelona and knocked out by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

There are two other names that could also be announced shortly by Madrid, with defenders Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries both reportedly close to signing for the club.

Konate, the Liverpool defender, is available as a free agent after failing to agree fresh terms at Anfield, while Dumfries had a cut-price €20million release clause in his contract at Inter Milan, which Real are believed to have triggered.