Chapter 413: Transfer Window Opens, Multiple Clubs Compete for Lin Quan with Sky-High Offers
After persuading Xavi, Lin Quan spoke to Beckham again: "When I return, I'll meet with Xavi to discuss everything in detail. If all goes well, we should be able to convince him to join. However, we need to expedite the necessary procedures here. It would be embarrassing if he joins us and we still don't have matches to play."
From what Lin Quan remembered, Inter Miami officially joined the MLS a few years later, primarily because they were building their own stadium and facilities. These things could be rented temporarily. There were already some football clubs in Miami that had disbanded due to poor management. Their facilities could be rented initially, and their own stadium and other facilities could be constructed concurrently.
Given the construction efficiency in Europe and America, these things wouldn't be completed quickly. Lin Quan even considered contacting construction teams from back home to help out. With their expertise, the work would be done faster, better, and at a lower cost.
Beckham nodded. Since Lin Quan had managed to persuade Xavi, he couldn't fall behind and promised to personally oversee these matters.
The two also discussed player recruitment. Lin Quan's idea was that having Xavi as the face of the team would be enough. However, they shouldn't waste the other two special slots. These could be used to recruit talented and promising young players from Europe who weren't very famous. They could be developed at Inter Miami. If they chose to stay, great, if not, they could be sold to top leagues for profit.
For teams outside the top five leagues or top-tier clubs, nurturing talent for the elite clubs was inevitable. They lacked the financial power and appeal of top leagues. The top five leagues were the ultimate goal for players due to their high level of competition, visibility, and salaries. Only by playing there could stars fully showcase their talents. Non-top-five league teams could only attract players by offering high salaries or by being stepping stones like Porto, training young players and then selling them at a high price.
For European players, the MLS was a good option without language barriers. After dealing with Inter Miami's affairs, Lin Quan was about to head back to Europe to meet Xavi when he encountered a familiar face on Miami Beach. It was none other than the NBA's top player and Cavaliers' star, LeBron James.
"Hey, Lin, you're in the States too?" James was surprised to see Lin Quan again. They exchanged pleasantries and chatted briefly. Just like in history, James' Cavaliers had lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals this year. The Warriors' Steph Curry, with his incredible three-pointers, led his team to victory, showcasing the power of small-ball and three-point shooting. Despite James' impressive average of 35 points per game, it wasn't enough to secure a championship, leaving him feeling dejected. Did he really need to form another superteam to win a title?
Yet, Lin Quan didn't team up with Messi or Ronaldo and still won numerous titles. James' frustration was evident to Lin Quan, who invited him to Europe to watch some matches. The NBA season typically starts late in October, while the top five leagues in Europe, and even the Champions League, would be well underway. Many NBA stars who loved football would visit Europe to watch games and sometimes visit their favorite clubs. Kobe Bryant frequently did this.
Now that Kobe was about to retire, he'd have even more free time and would likely visit Europe more often. James accepted Lin Quan's invitation, planning to visit Liverpool and possibly stop by Etihad Stadium. Maintaining good relations with influential figures like Lin Quan was always beneficial.
As Lin Quan's vacation ended and he returned to Europe, the 2015 summer transfer window finally opened. At midnight on July 1st, clubs that had been preparing for a while began their moves. Real Madrid's actions were the most eye-catching. On the first day of the transfer window, they submitted three offers to different clubs.
On July 1st, Real Madrid submitted an offer to Manchester City, bidding €60 million for Toni Kroos. Last summer, Real Madrid had shown interest in Kroos, but he stayed at City after being persuaded by Lin Quan. Over the past season, Kroos had performed brilliantly. Under Guardiola's guidance, his potential had further developed, enhancing his overall abilities. Together with De Bruyne, they were City's midfield engine, providing numerous assists to the forwards. They had scored 21 goals and provided 39 assists in all competitions, becoming indispensable in City's midfield.
Seeing Kroos' impressive performance, Real Madrid was determined and increased their offer and his potential salary, hoping to lure him to the club. Despite Manchester City's outstanding achievements, they lacked the prestige and heritage of Real Madrid. Joining Madrid meant donning the prestigious white jersey and becoming part of the new Galacticos. Many players, even as children, dreamed of playing for Real Madrid. City quickly responded, rejecting Madrid's offer and declaring Kroos non-transferable. However, in football, many "non-transferable" players had been sold for the right price, so this statement didn't hold much weight. The transfer window had just opened, and Real Madrid wasn't likely to give up easily.
In addition to bidding for Kroos, Real Madrid also submitted a €20 million offer to Manchester United for their goalkeeper, David de Gea.
After pushing out Iker Casillas, Real Madrid needed a talented goalkeeper. David de Gea was Spanish and had proven his skills in both domestic and international competitions. Real Madrid saw great potential in De Gea. At 25, he was already one of the top goalkeepers in football. Signing him could secure Real Madrid's goal for at least seven or eight years.
However, Real Madrid's offer was quite low. Bayern Munich paid €30 million for Neuer four years ago, and Juventus paid €54 million for Buffon 14 years ago. Those were old prices, showing how valuable a good goalkeeper is. Real Madrid's €20 million bid for De Gea seemed insincere, considering they claimed to value him highly. It felt like an insult to Manchester United, especially when they bid €60 million for a Manchester City player but only €20 million for theirs. Manchester United quickly rejected the offer.
Ignoring the response, Real Madrid made a third offer, this time to Bayern Munich, targeting their left-back, David Alaba. Bayern was frustrated. Every year, clubs seemed to target their left-backs—last year it was Manchester City, this year Real Madrid. Was Barcelona next?
Real Madrid had no choice. Their left-back Coentrao had left, and the remaining options were not ideal. Marcelo was great offensively but often neglected defense, leaving the wing exposed. Nacho, the other left-back, was diligent but lacked attacking skills, the opposite of Marcelo. Real Madrid desperately wanted a balanced left-back who could excel both offensively and defensively. But finding a good left-back was as hard as finding a good winger. The football world had very few suitable left-backs. If they couldn't find anyone, they might have to make Gareth Bale return to his old position, but it was unlikely for someone of his status to take on such a demanding role. Thus, buying a player was the only option.
Real Madrid identified Alaba as the best choice. They made a fair offer of €40 million and were open to negotiations. Bayern's response was straightforward: "No!"
Although Real Madrid's three offers totaled €120 million and seemed significant, everyone knew they were just the appetizers. This summer, the focus wasn't on Kroos, De Gea, or Alaba, but on Manchester City's star Lin Quan, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, and Barcelona's Neymar. All three transfers were connected to Lin Quan.
"This transfer window is going to be exciting!" "Definitely. Three clubs are after Lin Quan!" "Which ones?" "Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Barcelona." "You're behind. Juventus is also interested!" "Juventus? They're a top club but not as rich as PSG, Real Madrid, or Barcelona. How can they compete for Lin Quan?" "True. Lin Quan's estimated worth is at least €250 million. Juventus might struggle to offer even €100 million."
Fans doubted Juventus could compete financially with the other clubs. The decline of Serie A was evident, and although Juventus dominated domestically, they struggled in Europe. They were eliminated in the group stage two years ago and were crushed by Manchester City last year. This league and team didn't attract top players like the Premier League or La Liga, which offered high salaries and strong competition. Top players wanted to join clubs capable of winning the Champions League, crucial for winning the Ballon d'Or.
"It's interesting. Four clubs want Lin Quan, but only one can get him. If they fail, they'll target Ronaldo or Neymar. If PSG can't get Lin Quan, they'll likely go for Ronaldo or Neymar. Juventus might also compete for Ronaldo. If Barcelona fails to get Lin Quan, they'll have to renew Messi and Neymar's contracts to prevent them from leaving." "Lin Quan is holding the entire football world in suspense!" "Yeah, let's see who makes the first move!" "I was wondering why no one had bid for Lin Quan yet. Turns out they're all waiting for someone else to make the first move!"
Despite the annual transfer rumors about Lin Quan, fans enjoyed watching the drama unfold. A successful transfer involving Lin Quan would be a major event in football, something fans would be proud to witness.
Finally, someone made a move. On July 5th, Juventus made the first bid, offering €180 million for Lin Quan. This caused a huge stir in the football world. Although Juventus' offer was too low and unlikely to succeed, it signaled other clubs to act. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG quickly followed with their own offers. The battle for Lin Quan had officially begun!