Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez has "reflected on Real Madrid’s difficulty in signing Neymar, his plans for Zinedine Zidane and when he will sign a new coach," according to FOOTBALL ESPAÑA. Real Madrid was "thought to have entered this summer’s bidding process for Santos’ Neymar, only to see him opt for Barcelona." Pérez: "Three years ago there was a possibility to sign him and we wanted to take it, but then his club would not release him and he renewed his contract. He seems a great player and we would have signed him had the conditions not been altered by the club. We had to negotiate with the club, the father, a fund that has 40% of his rights. He would have cost us more than €150M ($193M). I do not know how much he went to Barca for.” Pérez is set to stand for re-election as President at the start of next month. He said, "The other day I appeared in 12 of the Madrid sports newspapers. If there is no candidate, I will take office on Tuesday and will start with the issue of the coach. First I will talk to him, because even if people do not believe it, we have not spoken to anyone. I would like that [Zinedine] Zidane takes a lead. I would also like for him to be Madrid's coach someday. When the coach arrives, he and Zidane will see how we can make a qualitative leap." Pérez also addressed Cristiano Ronaldo. Pérez: "Cristiano has been exemplary and has no problems with anyone. He is the best in the world and I want him to be the best paid in the world" (FOOTBALL ESPAÑA, 5/28).
