Perez pledges to announce 'big' Madrid signing amid Konate, Dumfries links

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has pledged to announce a "big" signing later this week, with reports suggesting they will bring in Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries.

Madrid are holding a presidential election on Sunday, with Perez – who is 17 years into his second spell in the position – being challenged by Enrique Riquelme.

Los Blancos are coming off a pair of seasons without major silverware, failing to deliver the LaLiga, Copa del Rey or Champions League trophies in back-to-back campaigns for the first time since 2008-09 and 2009-10.

They are likely to be active in the transfer window, with a long-anticipated move for Konate expected to become reality following his exit from Liverpool as a free agent.

And in recent days, reports have also claimed Madrid will activate a €20m release clause in Dumfries' contract with Inter, adding further competition at right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult first season in Spain.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper El Espanyol, which was published on Wednesday, Perez said: "This Thursday I'll announce my first big signing for next season.

"Everyone knows my sporting project: having the best players, and carrying on winning."

Dumfries has been with Inter since 2021, winning two Serie A titles and three Coppa Italia crowns, as well as finishing as a Champions League runner-up on two occasions.

He has made 207 appearances for the Nerazzurri overall, and his 49 goal involvements (27 goals, 22 assists) in all competitions rank joint-eighth among all defenders from Europe's top five leagues since his debut for the club.

Perez is also expected to bring Jose Mourinho back for a second stint at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, following the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa.

He refused to confirm those rumours as he said: "Soon I'll announce who Real Madrid's new coach will be. We'll have more names before Sunday, don't worry."