Real still on look-out for new 'galactico'

Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez says that after his landslide victory in Sunday's presidential election he is now aiming to recruit one of the world's top players to join the club before next season.

"This business works by winning trophies and by signing a 'galactico' each season," Perez was quoted as saying by Spanish sports daily AS on Tuesday. "I am going to continue the policy of bringing one in every year."

"The result of the election obliges me to do this more than ever. We have to construct a competitive team."

The Spanish sporting media have reported that England striker Wayne Rooney, Dutch centre forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, Italy's Francesco Totti and French internationals Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry are all on Real's target list.

Perez, who won over 90 percent of the votes of club members in Sunday's election, declined to reveal the names of the potential new recruits but said that he was not put off by clubs who said their players were not up for transfer.

"There are no players that are not for sale," he said. "The only problem is the money."

Real have made just one signing since they ended last season without a major trophy for the first time in five years, buying Argentine centre back Walter Samuel from AS Roma for 25 million euros.

The club has also been negotiating with Porto with a view to signing central defender Ricardo Carvalho and midfielder Costinha and they have been in talks with Real Sociedad over Spanish international Xabi Alonso.

Perez was scheduled to meet coach Jose Antonio Camacho on Tuesday to discuss the players they would like to recruit before the start of next season.

Real right back Michel Salgado said that he thought that constructing an effective team should take priority over recruiting more big-name players.

"It is much better to have a balanced team rather than a glamorous one and I said that last season before we lost all the trophies," the Spanish international told a news conference at Real's training ground on Tuesday.

"This team has a winning mentality and with a few minor additions we will win things again this season."