Chapter 72: Barcelona's Generosity
While the media hyped up Lin Quan and Messi comparisons, journalists from all over Germany were searching for him, Lin Quan had already quietly boarded a plane and flown back to Spain.
Originally, he had informed Guardiola and said he didn't need anyone to pick him up, but when Lin Quan arrived at the Barcelona airport, he still encountered someone sent to pick him up.
"Uncle Pere, why are you here?"
The person picking him up was Guardiola's brother, Pere Guardiola. Like his brother, he was once a professional player but retired early due to lack of talent. He later transitioned to become an agent.
In Lin Quan's impression, Pere was a very busy person, often shuttling between Europe and Latin America to scout young players who hadn't been signed by other agents.
"I watched your match against Bayern and noticed your ankle was injured. Thinking you might have trouble getting around, I informed Pep and came to pick you up!"
Pere showed enthusiasm, took Lin Quan's suitcase, and led him to his car.
"Pep and Serra's wedding is held in a castle by the sea. Should I take you directly there, or drop you off at home first?"
Starting the car, Pere asked Lin Quan, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
"What time is the wedding tomorrow?"
"At half-past nine in the morning. Do you have anything else to do?"
"Well, I want to go to the Barcelona club to discuss my wages. Since Uncle Pere, you are familiar with this area of business, could you accompany me?"
Pere was naturally delighted with this request. He currently didn't have any big-name stars under his wing, and Lin Quan's rising fame in the Bundesliga made his future prospects limitless. If he could sign him, it would be a huge step forward for his career!
"Of course, I've dealt with Barcelona before, and I'm familiar with the club's situation. Let's go straight there!"
So the two of them left the airport and headed straight to the location of the Barcelona club.
...
In the office of the Barcelona youth team coach, Enrique sighed.
The progress of the team's contract renewal with Lin Quan was not going smoothly, and the other party's performance in the Bundesliga was becoming more and more outstanding by the day, which made him somewhat anxious.
He had consulted President Rosell about this matter several times, but Rosell's attitude was very indifferent.
This made Enrique feel a sense of unease; he felt that he might be considered expendable.
Especially with rumors within the club suggesting that Martino would take over as Barcelona's coach after Vilanova, it further confirmed his worries!
"Hmph, it's your lack of integrity that led to this, no wonder I'm so upset!"
Enrique had made up his mind. If Rosell really treated him as disposable, when he left Barcelona, he would make sure to expose all of Rosell's dirt.
You do to me what I wouldn't do to you!
Knock knock knock!
Just then, there was a hurried knock on the door from outside the office.
"Come in!"
Enrique, feeling annoyed, impatiently called out.
The office door was pushed open, and Barcelona's sporting director Subisareta entered with a bald middle-aged man whose expression was very unpleasant.
Enrique glanced at the man and was taken aback. This person looked too much like former Barcelona coach Guardiola, didn't he?
"Who is this?"
Enrique asked with some confusion, and Subisareta explained:
"He is Guardiola's brother!"
Enrique was a bit puzzled. What was Guardiola's brother doing in the youth team? Even if he was returning to coach Barcelona, he should go to the president's office, so why come to him?
"Cough, what I'm here to deal with today has nothing to do with Pep. I'm here on behalf of my nephew, Lin Quan, to demand his bonuses and salary from the club. Here's the contract. I'm sure the club won't renege on it, right?"
This matter of demanding wages actually had nothing to do with Enrique, but Subisareta insisted on bringing Pere to see him. Pere didn't mind, as long as he could get the money, his task would be complete.
He believed that the club would definitely resolve this matter; they couldn't keep passing the buck like this.
Lin Quan's loan contract was agreed upon against the odds by Enrique initially. The wages in this contract were not high, but the bonuses were considerable.
Originally, they thought Lin Quan wouldn't get much playing time in the competitive Bundesliga and would find it hard to score goals.
But unexpectedly, he excelled in the Bundesliga, scoring goals left and right, which made Barcelona feel like they were losing out.
So Subisareta harbored grievances towards Enrique; this was why he brought the matter to Enrique's attention.
If Enrique hadn't insisted on giving Lin Quan a contract with ten times the bonuses, this situation wouldn't have arisen.
Enrique was a bit angry. Subisareta had also agreed to the contract at the time, but now he wanted to push all the blame onto him.
Sure enough, the rumors were true; he had lost out in the competition with Martino.
Otherwise, they wouldn't treat him like this.
Thinking of this, Enrique decided to go with the flow. Since it was Barcelona's money, just give it to them; he didn't have to pay out of his own pocket.
"Well, of course, we won't go back on our word. Let's settle the wages and bonuses now. Since Mr. Subisareta is here, you can ask him for the money directly after it's calculated!"
Upon hearing Enrique's words, Subisareta snorted and felt very unhappy:
"How dare a youth team coach dictate to me, the sporting director? Do you think you're the head coach of Barcelona?"
"Well, let's start calculating then!"
Enrique, indifferent, nodded. Since it wasn't his money, he didn't care. He just wanted to get it over with!
Subisareta glared at Enrique, feeling the pain of parting with the money, and then spoke:
"Mr. Pere, what do you think about Lin Quan's contract renewal..."
Giving away thirty thousand wasn't a big deal for Barcelona, a club with great resources.
But this money couldn't be given away for nothing. He wanted to use this thirty thousand to show Lin Quan the club's sincerity and hopefully make a breakthrough in the contract renewal.
"Renewal? Lin Quan's contract hasn't expired yet. Let's not rush this matter. When the contract expires, we can discuss it then!"
Pere had a thought but didn't ask further. He decisively took the money and left. Before leaving, he even thanked the Barcelona club for their generosity.
Offering such high bonuses to a player who wasn't even 17 yet, Barcelona was indeed generous.
However, when Enrique and Subisareta heard these words, they couldn't help but feel like they were being mocked!
(End of this chapter)