Enrique Riquelme has doubled down on his campaign promise to sign Erling Haaland if he’s elected Real Madrid president.
The 37-year-old challenger stepped up his fight on Wednesday night by announcing Haaland would be one of his first signings along with Rodri.
Manchester City have denied the claim and even threatened legal action, while Haaland’s camp have distanced themselves from it.
However, Riquelme is so sure that he’s now put the promises in writing.
Riquelme puts Haaland signing in writing
Marca report that there was a deed signed before a notary on June 3rd in which he assumes “expressly and irrevocably” the commitment to incorporate Erling Haaland and Rodri into Real Madrid for the 2026-2027 season.
There is a personal guarantee clause that obliges him, if both signings do not occur, to cover the annual fee of all the club members.
Furthermore, Riquelme doubled down on his claims in another interview, saying he’s spoken with the Norwegian.
“There have been talks with their respective entourages,” he said.
“In Rodri’s case, with Pablo, his agent, and in Haaland’s case, with his inner circle and with him personally.
“I don’t know the manager personally, but people in my circle do. There’s a clause in his contract, and if I become president, I will do everything possible to ensure Haaland plays for Real Madrid.”
Riquelme responds to City
He then commented on City’s denial, adding: “If I am president of Real Madrid this coming Sunday, Haaland will play for Real Madrid.
“He will play for Madrid because, basically, and I have all due respect to City, it may have been misinterpreted, Haaland has a contract with City just like Rodri, although they are different situations.
“Rodri has one year left on his contract, Haaland has much more. He has a clause, and I am going to do everything possible, and I say with absolute certainty that if I am president of Real Madrid, Haaland will play for Real Madrid.”
He continued on City’s statement: “It’s normal, it’s an election, there are two candidates, no one is guaranteed to win, and they have to protect the player.
“It seems normal to me. Well, remember when Figo was involved, when Figo himself said in all the media outlets that he wasn’t coming.
“I understand this, I don’t take it personally, it’s part of the world of sports, the world of football, and I see it as fine.
“I want to make it clear that I have the utmost respect for City, and I will have to sit down with City to discuss it.
“If I am president of Real Madrid, I will make sure that these types of players play for Real Madrid.
“I ask for that trust from the members, but if they don’t, I have provided a personal, notarized guarantee that if these players don’t come, I will pay the membership fees of all the members.
“I don’t want to disrespect City or anything, we’ll talk starting Monday, we’ll sit down to talk with them, but that’s all I can say.
“With clauses and private contracts between them and me, what I can tell you is that he’ll play for Real Madrid.”
Riquelme and Haaland’s relationship
To further back Riquelme’s claims is a series of photos of him meeting with Haaland in 2021.
Back then the striker was playing with Borussia Dortmund, and it’s claimed him and his father said they’d join Real in the future if Riquelme became president.
Elsewhere, he has announced Raul will be his sporting director and Fernando Hierro will become academy director.
Riquelme is next expected to announce his coaching hire, with all indications pointing towards Jurgen Klopp.
On that matter, he said: “We’re working on it, the best players are training, the sporting team is working on it, and I’m going to try to communicate it before the elections.
“He’s a coach – we’re not here to experiment – he’s a coach that Real Madrid really needs, a coach who will be respected, who knows what he’s doing, and has the experience of competing in major leagues and simultaneously in the Champions League.
“I haven’t sat down with Jürgen Klopp, and even if I had, I wouldn’t say so. I, personally, haven’t sat down with Jürgen Klopp, or with any other coach.
“I’m coming in as president of Real Madrid, not as sporting director.”
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