Real Madrid candidate Riquelme pledges to sign Haaland - but gets pushback from player’s camp

Enrique Riquelme says he’s set to take Erling Haaland to the Bernabéu if elected as Real Madrid president - even vowing to reimburse club membership fees if he doesn’t follow through on the blockbuster deal.

However, the Manchester City striker’s camp has pushed back against Riquelme’s announcement, describing the energy magnate’s claims as “not true”.

Haaland “wants to come”

Appearing on the primetime Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday, Riquelme delivered his pledge to sign Haaland, holding up a Madrid jersey bearing the superstar’s name and number.

The 37-year-old is also promising to bring in Haaland’s City colleague, the midfielder Rodri Hernández. “He’s a top player, a Ballon d’Or winner in a position where Madrid needs to strengthen,” Riquelme told El Hormiguero.

“If I become president, Rodri will play for Real Madrid, with all due respect to City.”

Riquelme added: “I don’t have the track record of [current Madrid president] Florentino [Pérez]; I’ve never been president. That’s why I’m committing myself to the two players I’ve announced, backed by a personal notarized guarantee: if I fail to deliver, I will pay 100% of the annual dues of Madrid’s 100,000 members.

“Haaland has a release clause [in his City contract], and he wants to come to Madrid.”

“Very entertaining, but...”

Soon after Riquelme’s Haaland reveal, however, Rafaela Pimenta and Alfie Haaland - the player’s agent and father, respectively - denied that the presidential candidate has lined up the Norway international’s signing.

“All very entertaining, but not true,” Pimenta and Alfie Haaland said. “We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”

City are also expected to address the situation in a statement this Thursday.

When are the Real Madrid elections?

Riquelme faces Pérez, who has spent 23 years as Madrid chief across two spells since 2000, in the LaLiga club’s presidential election on Sunday, June 7.

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