Bale is Real cheap stuff
Big-name signings will make money for club in the long run, says president Perez
MADRID: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended his policy of signing the best players in the world for huge transfer fees by claiming they make the club money in the long run.
Perez is in his second term in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu and added to a stellar cast of signings under his guidance such as Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo with the capture of Gareth Bale earlier this month.
And whilst the 66-year-old construction magnate refused to clarify whether Real had paid US$123mil (RM396mil) for the Welshman reported by Spanish media, or what would be a record breaking 101mil (RM439mil) as suggested by the press in England, Perez claimed Bale had in fact been a “cheap” signing.
“The signing was cheap,” Perez told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
“All the important players have been cheap for Real Madrid. “That is why we lead the Forbes list.” Indeed, American business magazine Forbes increased their valuation of Real Madrid following the Bale signing to US$3.4bil (RM10.9mil) to consolidate their place as the world’s most valuable sports entity.
“It was shown with Figo, Zidane, Beckham and Ronaldo.
“Even though they were very expensive,
The signing was cheap. All the important players have been cheap for Real Madrid. That is why we lead the Forbes list. — FLORENTINO PEREZ
we went from losing money to making money.”
Real’s money-making potential under Perez’s two spells in charge has dramatically increased with revenue rising from just 85mil (RM370mil) 15 years ago to 520.9 (RM2,267.8mil) for the 2012-13 season.
Real also recorded a significant rise in profit and cut their net debt last season despite ending the campaign empty handed in terms of trophies.
Perez is hoping that Bale’s arrival will signal not only continued commercial success, but a return to winning ways on the field.
“Bale has twice been named the best player in the Premier League, he was the image of the Premier League.
“I believe he is one of the best players in the world and Real Madrid have the model of buying the best.” — AFP