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Bale signing was cheap, Perez says
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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez 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 while the 66-year-old construction magnate refused to clarify whether Madrid had paid 91 million euros (US$123 million) for the Welshman reported by Spanish media, or what would be a record breaking 101 million euros 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$3.4 billion to consolidate its place as the world’s most valuable sports entity.
“It was shown with Figo, Zidane, Beckham and Ronaldo. Even though they were very expensive, we went from losing money to making money.”
Madrid’s money-making potential under Perez’s two spells in charge has dramatically increased with revenue rising from just 85 million euros 15 years ago to 520.9 million euros for the 2012/13 season.
Real also recorded a significant rise in profit and cut its net debt last season despite ending the campaign empty handed in terms of trophies.
Perez is hoping Bale’s arrival will signal continued commercial success and a return to winning ways on the field.
He also claimed Bale shunned the advances of Manchester United to end up at the Bernabeu.
“Tottenham did not want to sell him. It came to our attention that Manchester United had made an offer and we then made ours. Since he was young he has had the desire to play for Real Madrid and he asked we do everything possible for him to come.”
On the pitch, Espanyol defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-2 in the Spanish league on Monday.
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