Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has indicated that the arrivals of Carlo Ancelotti as the club's new coach and Malaga midfielder Isco as Real's first major signing of the close season could be confirmed within the next few days.
The Spanish giants have been searching for a new boss since it was announced five weeks ago that Jose Mourinho would be leaving the club and although Ancelotti has always been Perez's first choice to take over, the Italian's move now seems set to be completed with his current club Paris Saint-Germain expected to announce former French national team manager Laurent Blanc as his successor.
"As of today he is not signed. It could be tomorrow (Tuesday) that PSG announce the agreement that would let him sign for Madrid. We hope that everything goes well. My coach is Ancelotti," Perez told Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos in an interview released on Monday night.
"It depends on PSG arriving at an agreement with Ancelotti and announcing their new coach, Blanc," the 66-year-old added whilst also refusing to rule out the possibility that an official announcement could be made on Wednesday.
In terms of new acquisitions on the field, Perez also confirmed media reports in Spain over the weekend that Madrid are set to beat off competition from Manchester City for the signature of Isco.
"There is a great chance that he will be a Real Madrid player because he wants to be in Madrid and Madrid also want him.
"Isco is one of Spain's great players and the technical team have understood that he has the necessary quality to play for Madrid.
"No (I haven't spoken with him), but I know that the player is very excited to come. The same as I am that he comes here. If everything develops well, we will announce his signing shortly, once the announcement of the new coach is made."
And Perez was equally bullish about the chances of Cristiano Ronaldo signing a new long-term deal with the club.
The Portuguese star's current contract is due to expire in 2015 and he rubbished rumours that he was on the verge of signing a new deal two weeks ago when he wrote on his Twitter account that "all the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false."
However, Perez maintains that he will sign a new deal and it could even be done before the new league season gets underway.
"He is our most important asset, around which we want to build the future of Madrid.
"Cristiano made these declarations because strange information came out of some media outlet that didn't correspond with the reality of the situation.
"This question will be clarified shortly. I don't doubt that Cristiano will retire at Real Madrid. I am convinced he will renew. The renewals will be done before the competitions start."
Source: AFP
