Perez set to stand for Real presidency

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MADRID - Florentino Perez, the man who brought Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham to Real Madrid, signalled on Monday that he is ready to make another bid for the presidency of the Spanish club. "Florentino Perez will make public his intention to stand in the Real Madrid elections on Thursday," his office said in a statement, confirming his plan to run after months of speculation.

Perez resigned as Real president in 2006 after a six-year spell that saw him sign a handful of the world's most famous, and most expensive, players.

After doing a deal to sign Luis Figo during his election campaign in 2000, Perez added Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham and Michael Owen to a squad that already featured Raul and Roberto Carlos.

Spanish media have linked a Perez candidacy with moves for Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso. Spanish media have suggested Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti as favoured choices for the coach's role.

Perez, who runs one of Europe's largest construction conglomerates ACS, will officially announce his candidacy at the Ritz hotel in Madrid.