Florentino Perez: 'Bankia did not fund Gareth Bale deal'

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 19 December 2013

Florentino Perez fumes at reports suggesting that Real Madrid acquired a loan in order to finance the £86m world record transfer of Gareth Bale.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has vehemently denied claims that the club received a bank loan in order to fund the world record transfer of Gareth Bale.

The Welshman completed an £86m move to the Santiago Bernabeu from Tottenham Hotspur in September, before Dutch MEP Derk Jan Eppink claimed that bailed-out Spanish lender Bankia had contributed to the fee.

However, speaking to Desayunos Deportivos de Europa Press, Perez strenuously refuted the suggestions and insists that the club financed the entirety of the deal.

"Bankia did not pay for the transfer of Gareth Bale, we completed it using our own resources," said the Blancos chief. "The financial statement was made public and all our shareholders have a copy of it.

"Now it's said that [Bankia] helped transfer Bale to us and it's a lie. Real Madrid paid for him with significant resources and I'm a little annoyed to have to speak about it."

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a bright start to life in the Spanish capital, recording nine goals and six assists in all competitions.