Super Marshal

"According to the reliable information we have received, Barcelona only has one candidate at left-back."

Cantarero is the team's technical director, in charge of the technical department, leading the first team, youth team, scouting and data analysis departments, and overseeing the club's competitive affairs. Transfers and signings are one of his responsibilities.

"That is the Alba of our team. Barcelona is very interested in him. Sports director Zubizarreta called me personally just yesterday, hoping that we can seriously study the possibility of Alba transferring to Barcelona."

"How do you answer?" Gao Han raised his head, looked at the technical director and asked with concern.

Cantarero shook his head and laughed, "I told him that Alba is not for sale."

Everyone in the conference room laughed after hearing this.

Not for sale, this transfer term has become a term used by many media and fans to ridicule Chinatown. Almost every time a Chinatown player is poached, they will emphasize again and again that this player is not for sale. , but what about actually?

Last season, Gao Han repeatedly emphasized that James Rodriguez was not for sale, and he also said extremely seriously that this time he was serious, but what was the result?

When Real Madrid raised the transfer fee to 80 million euros and was willing to pay the release fee for James Rodriguez, Gao Han had no choice but to renege on his promise and sell the Colombian midfielder. He has been ridiculed by the media and fans, but everyone familiar with the matter can understand Gao Han's decision.

In the professional league, there is no such thing as not-for-sale. The so-called not-for-sale is just that the other party lacks sincerity in the transfer fee and does not want to sell, so it is called not-for-sale.

Let’s not talk about other people, let’s just talk about Messi. If someone is willing to pay 150 million euros or even 200 million euros in transfer fees for Messi now, Barcelona will probably sell the Argentine superstar because they think it is worth it.

Therefore, Gao Han always laughed at the ridicule and sarcasm.

"Barcelona's left back has been weak for a long time. It should have been signed last summer, but there has been no movement. After the downturn last season, I guess there will be no hesitation this season. Vilanova will want It's not surprising to get Alba." Gao Han sighed softly, he had a premonition that Alba might not be able to keep him.

First of all, Alba came from the La Masia youth training camp, so the so-called youth training relationship is a bit unrealistic. To put it bluntly, Barcelona is one of the top giants in European football, and it is natural for Alba to want to go back.

This situation is exactly the same as that of Cesc Fabregas last year. To think about it differently, if Cesc Fabregas was in Arsenal's youth training but played for Barcelona and served as the team's captain, then he would do it for the so-called feelings. Leave Barcelona and return to Arsenal?

The second point is that Alba and Fabregas are exactly the same. They are both from the Barcelona area. Returning to Barcelona to play for them is like a return to their hometown.

There is an old Chinese saying that goes, if wealth does not return to its hometown, it will be like walking in brocade at night.

"What do the technical departments think?" Gao Han asked Cantarero again.

Not only him, but everyone in the conference room looked at the technical director, waiting for his opinion.

"Alex Sandro performed well in the team. After comprehensive evaluation, we all agreed that even if Alba is really sold, the Brazilian left back can quickly step in, but we need a left back To introduce a qualified substitute player at the position, it is best to be younger.”

Alba is a veteran of the team who has played for many years, and Alex Sandro has always been his substitute. However, the Brazilian left back is only 21 years old. He is the main player in the Copa del Rey, as well as in the league and the Champions League. As a substitute, or starting when Alba is absent, he has many opportunities to practice in games, and his strength is also very good.

The same situation applies to Danilo on the right. Although the Brazilian right back is one year older than Carvajal, he is Carvajal's substitute and his performance is equally good. Chinatown has always made plans. , once Carvajal and Alba leave the team, Danilo and Alex Sandro will take advantage of the situation.

At the same time, Chinatown will also introduce more players to serve as substitutes to fill the vacancies.

Cantarero's words are equivalent to giving the green light for Alba's transfer.

Gao Han thought for a while and nodded: "In that case, it's decided, but now there is an extremely scarce supply of excellent full-backs in European football, especially left-backs. Chelsea is also in urgent need of a left-back, so Barcelona has to get one." Alba, yes, the termination fee is 50 million euros.”

Everyone looked at each other. A 23-year-old full-back asked for 50 million euros. Is this too outrageous?

"According to the information revealed by Zubizarreta, Barcelona is only willing to give him 30 million euros at most."

"That's impossible." Gao Han shook his head and waved his hands, "If they are determined, then tell them that we will talk about it after the European Cup."

The European Cup is the most important event this summer. Alba is the main left back of the Spanish national team.

Judging from the current situation, Spain's overall strength is still stronger than all other teams, and it is very likely to win the championship. Alba and Carvajal are both Spanish internationals, and the two attacking full-backs have performed well in the European Cup. The potential for excellence is great, especially for Alba.

In contrast, Carvajal still has to compete with Arbeloa for the main position, but Alba is the absolute main player.

Under this circumstance, if Alba can perform in the European Cup, his value will definitely soar again. This is why Barcelona chose to contact Chinatown before the European Cup.

"Barcelona also wants to get Rakitic, Real Madrid is inspecting De Gea, Hazard, Rakitic and Aubameyang, and Atletico Madrid is very interested in Herrera and Godin. Chelsea is inspecting Aubameyang and Alba, and Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma are all very interested in players such as Miranda, Pelle and Rakitic.”

Cantarero's words left everyone present in silence.

Chinatown's performance last season was very good, but the poaching that followed was also overwhelming.

"They now regard us as a player training factory and a player supermarket. As long as you can afford the money, you can buy players." Gao Han's eyes flashed with a stern look and he sneered maliciously.

This is indeed the current situation in Chinatown and cannot be denied.

In the past few years, in order to prepare for the construction of a new stadium and to fill financial deficits, the team has had to sell off its stars again and again, from Falcao to Diego Costa to Michu, from Ramirez to Schneiderlin. From Mkhitaryan to James Rodriguez, Chinatown has fallen to the opponent's checks time and time again.

There is no doubt that this is caused by the black store model that Gao Han strongly promoted. It cannot be wrong. After all, Chinatown can reach this day, which proves that the black store model that Gao Han promoted back then is correct. But times have changed, and last season Chinatown has basically balanced its financial balance.

What's more, the downturn at the beginning of last season and the ups and downs of the team's performance taught the management a lot of lessons.

"Armando, what do you think?" Gao Han turned to look at the general manager.

Armando Marcos looked at Cantarero, then at other colleagues, and finally at Gao Han.

"I think the team cannot allow other teams to poach players. Even if we want to sell people, we cannot do it without restraint. Otherwise, how can we continue to compete in the new season? What's more, retaining the Champions League qualification is more important than selling people. "

After a pause, the club general manager continued to elaborate.

"We have done detailed research and analysis. The outstanding performance in the Champions League last season not only brought us 40 million euros in bonus revenue, but also greatly improved the brand of our club. Many people who have expressed interest in us before Sponsors who were suspicious of it are now coming to us one after another, seeking cooperation.”

"Also, data from a well-known third-party organization in Germany shows that the players on our team are not very old. The outstanding performance in the Champions League has made the players' worth rise. So I think we should adjust the club's strategy appropriately. Keep pace with the times and strive to qualify for the Champions League.”

Everyone has seen the benefits of participating in the Champions League from the previous financial balance report. This is the first time in Chinatown's history that it has achieved a balance of payments without having to sell people. It can be said that, The temptation of the Champions League is too great.

Arsenal sell people every year, but in order to keep the Champions League, Wenger did not hesitate to spend huge sums of money for Michu.

According to sources, after missing out on qualifying for the Champions League for two consecutive seasons, Valencia has learned from the pain and decided to strengthen signings this summer, including Lyon left-back Sissoko, Real Madrid Gago and Canale. Sri Lanka and other players.

"I agree with Armando's opinion." Cantarero also responded.

"Before we were a newly promoted team and our goal was to avoid relegation, but don't forget, we have been playing in La Liga for three years. We finished tenth in the first year and fourth in the following two years. Although the process was very hard. , but I can guarantee that no one will treat us as a newly promoted team."

"So, I very much support Armando's opinion. We should adjust our strategy and strive to secure the top four in the league."

The support of the two powerful bosses of the club also caused the heads of departments in the conference room to talk a lot.

Judging from the reactions at the scene, the vast majority of people support retaining the top four. Even those who do not support it basically believe that the team should no longer sell people on a large scale. Last season, they lost the entire central axis. The team has been greatly weakened, and everyone can see it.

If it weren't for the sluggish period at the beginning of the season, it is entirely possible for Chinatown to go further and even pull down Atletico Madrid.

Of course, this is an afterthought, but it clearly sends a positive signal to Gao Han. He can no longer look at today's Chinatown through the eyes of three years ago.

Sell, definitely sell, but only sell those you can’t keep.

After careful consideration, Gao Han nodded heavily and said: "Okay, since everyone has the same opinion, let's follow Armando and Carlos's opinions and do our best to retain the players."

This decision means that Chinatown is bound to break the club's salary structure again and give a group of players another salary increase in exchange for the players to renew their contracts with the club and stay in the club with peace of mind.

However, in this way, the team's financial expenditure will increase significantly.

Based on the current situation in Chinatown, once the salary is increased, it will definitely catch up with the level of Valencia and Sevilla. Will the club's finances be able to bear it by then?

After all, the team's matchday revenue is at the bottom of La Liga.

But Armando Marcos seemed confident.

"Mr. Gao Han, you must have forgotten another thing."