Real Madrid Presidential candidate on Erling Haaland deal denial – ‘It’s part of the game’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid Presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has brushed off denials from Erling Haaland’s camp that he has no deal to sign for Los Blancos should the elections go Riquelme’s way. Riquelme revealed on Wednesday that he would sign Manchester City duo Rodri Hernandez and Erling Haaland were he to be elected over Florentino Perez.

Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimienta swiftly denied this was the case aftet Riquelme’s statements, noting that it was ‘very entertaining’. They also denied that Haaland has a clause in his contract that would allow him to join Real Madrid if a bid of a certain size comes in.

Manchester City consider legal action against Riquelme

As per The Athletic, Manchester City are also considering legal action against Riquelme for his comments, for using Haaland’s image and name. Nevertheless, MD note that they could only do so if Riquelme is elected as president, as he is currently not linked to any football club. The Catalan paper have also confirmed that he Riquelme has signed a legal document assuring that he will pay members’ fees for a year if he does not sign Haaland.

Riquelme brushes off Haaland deal denials

Speaking the following day to Diario AS, Riquelme brushed off the idea that he would not sign Haaland.

“Well, it’s part of the game. Nobody knows it better than you. It happened with Figo too; it’s part of football. Protecting the player – we had spoken before and after, also with Pablo (Barquero), Rodri’s agent. I know perfectly well that we then have to talk to City, I said that yesterday. The circumstances are different, Rodri’s than Haaland’s, but we have to talk to City. We have the utmost respect for the club. And from there, we’ll work on that. We have everything so clear and so structured that I know perfectly well that, if I’m president of Real Madrid, these two players will play for Real Madrid.”

Image via Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

When asked what he could do to convince the members that he was being honest about the deal, Riquelme said he would not tarnish his image with a lie.

“Besides what I’ve already said, I put up a guarantee, a personal pledge that if I failed to deliver on any of those promises, I would personally pay the membership fees for all 100,000 Real Madrid members. I can’t ask for the members’ trust if I don’t believe in my own proposal. I don’t come from politics, at least one of the two candidates doesn’t. I’m turning 37; I’m not competing with Florentino Perez generationally. I’m not going to tarnish my personal or professional image, neither as a Real Madrid fan nor as a member, to bring in one or the other. I’m absolutely certain that if I become president of Real Madrid, everything possible will be done, and I’m certain – we’ll have to talk to City – that they will play for Real Madrid.”

The elections will take place on this Sunday in Madrid, where members will for the first time in 20 years be able to vote for the next president of the club.