Real president promises dazzling summer spending spree

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez promised the club's fans a summer recruitment drive that would leave them gasping and let them forget the failure to win a trophy this term.

At a press conference to map out the future of the club that failed to land any silverware this year Perez said: "For next season we're going to go on a recruitment drive that will dazzle our fans."

Although not wishing to comment on the future of manager Carlos Queiroz he did have something to say on Roberto Carlos, the Brazil World Cup winner who has been approached to play for Chelsea next season.

"I'm very hopeful that Roberto Carlos will end his playing career with Real Madrid," Perez said.

Roberto Carlos' contract ends in June 2005 and on Tuesday he told Madrid radio that despite being approached by Roman Abramovich's Chelsea he wanted to play out his days at Real.

Real Madrid were left empty-handed after losing the Spanish Cup final in March, getting knocked out of the Champions League by Monaco in the quarter-finals, and handing the championship to Valencia when losing at the weekend.