England.

Hertfordshire.

A.T. Kearney Training Base.

The training base of the world's most famous Arsenal club is located here, just a 45-minute drive from their Emirates Stadium.

The season has just ended, and there are not many people in the training base.

The players have gone on vacation, and many of the staff who do the logistics for them have also taken a holiday.

The summer sun shines through the dense green trees, imprinting golden spots on the grass.

A middle-aged, bald man in a white shirt and tie walked quickly under the shade of a tree.

Born in South Africa in 1964, he moved to England at the age of four, received a law degree from Oxford University in '86, and set out to create Major League Soccer in the United States in 1994. In 2011, he returned to the UK and moved to London to join Arsenal Football Club as Chief Executive Officer.

Every time a player transfers, it's a very busy time for him.

This year is no exception.

After walking a few steps, the phone rings.

As he walked, Gazidis picked up his phone, looked at it, and clicked answer.

“…… Well, I know. I'm talking to Real Madrid. ”

"But, Arcena, give me a little time. I'm going to talk to Chelsea about Petr Cech and Basel about Mohamed Elneny. In addition, I have to find a way to find a new club for Podolski. The German underperformed at Inter Milan last year and the Italian club is not ready to buy him out. ”

"It takes time."

Gazidis grimaced, and he continued to walk briskly.

"Uh-huh, I'm listening."

"That's right. I tried to ask for a quote, and they refused. Then, I quoted another £8M and it turned out to be, guess what. Or was they refused. ”

"I think they might be crazy. A Chinese who didn't even play the game of the national team, just played in the league of the reserve team for a year, and the offer of 8M pounds was not negotiated, and he refused directly! That's outrageous, isn't it? ”

“…… I may not have heard clearly. The signal wasn't very good just now, can you say that again? ”

"What? £15M? OMG. When we took Walcoat from Southampton, it was only £12m. At the time, the price shocked the world. A seventeen year old Chinese kid, £15M, Arsène, are you also ......"

"Okay, okay, I'll think about it. If you let me think about it first, I'm thinking a little messed up right now. ”

"Hmm. Well. Get back in touch. Rest assured, we will be in touch with you again soon and will not keep you waiting. ”

……

Pushing open the office door, Gazidis dropped his phone on the desk.

He walked quickly to the desk, picked up the landline microphone, and commanded, "A cup of iced coffee, no sugar, thank you." ”

Then, Gazidis closed the office door, walked back to his seat, and sat down.

He turned on his computer.

Bring up the player's profile.

"Twenty games in La B B, 27 goals, five assists, 1.35 goals and 0.25 assists per game, 9 dribbles per game, 5.8 violations per game, 0.7 conceded per game, 1.2 threatening goals per game."

"Four promotion play-offs, 6 goals and 0 assists, an average of 1.5 goals per game."

"UEFA Youth League, 6 games, 13 attacks and 3 assists, averaging 2.17 goals and 0.5 assists per game."

"Seven games in La Liga, one goal and zero assists."

With a pen in his hand, Gazidis habitually tapped it on the table, his brow furrowed slightly.

"From the point of view of the data, it is quite a gorgeous data, but the level of the game is a little lower."

"The only high-level La Liga, the young man only played ten minutes, and the data is difficult to have any reference price."

"That's all there is to offer £15M? I really don't know what Arsène thinks......"

Knock knock!

There was a knock at the door.

"Please come in."

Gazidis didn't turn his head, he was still looking at the computer screen.

A cup of coffee was handed to hand.

Gazidis didn't look up, he took his coffee and said, "Thank you." ”

After a while, before the visitor had left, Gazidis was a little strange.

He looked up, "I said it, thank you...... Uh, it's Steve. Excuse me. ”

Gazidis hurriedly stood up.

Steve Raleigh is a long-time employee of the club.

In the early 90s, Steve Raleigh was already a scout for Arsenal FC.

The legendary captain in Arsenal club history, Tony Adams, was unearthed by him. At that time, even Arsene Wenger was not the manager of Arsenal, and the Gunners were managed by the legendary George Graham.

For such club veterans, Gazidis must be a little respectful.

"I thought it was Miss Watson, I'm sorry, please bring me coffee. You may be seated. ”

"By the way, what about Miss Watson? Why are you coming? He asked, curiously.

Steve Raleigh smiled and sat down across from Gazidis, "I came back from outside and happened to run into Miss Watson bringing you coffee. I thought I'd talk to you, so I dropped by and brought my coffee. ”

The delicate coffee spoon is slowly stirred clockwise, and the rich aroma of coffee beans slowly evaporates in the air.

Gazidis raised his head and raised his eyebrows, "Looking for me?" Is there something wrong? ”

"Well, that's right." Raleigh put his hands and knees on the table and looked at Gazidis, "Some time ago, I recommended a player from Real Madrid Castilla to the club. I wanted to ask the club how it was going and what the response was. ”

Belch......

Gazidis rubbed his temples with both hands, his expression a little surprised.

"It's the Chinese player named Ge Chu, right? Arsène and I were on the phone just now, and we were talking about him. Now you're here for him again. Why, are you so optimistic about him? ”

"Hmm."

Raleigh immediately replied in the affirmative, "Ivan, you may not know very well, but you have to believe me, the future of this player is very bright." If you have the opportunity, don't miss it, or you'll regret it later. ”

"Oh?" Gazidis shrugged, "Every year there are football talents, is it possible that every year we will regret it?" ”

Seeing that Raleigh was about to speak, he immediately raised his hand, "Listen to me, Steve." I recognize the professionalism of you and Arsène. I'm sure you're not wrong. ”

"But as the CEO of the team, I have more to think about than you guys. This season, the transfer budget given to me by the board is not very large, and I have to spend it where it works best. ”

'Good players, definitely what we need. But a good player also needs a good price, right? ”

"I really attach importance to this Chinese player. Shortly after the end of the season, I got in touch with Jose Sanchez, Real Madrid's general manager in charge of transfers. But he rejected my £8M offer. A Chinese who has just turned 17 and has no experience in the top flight, I am already very sincere in making such an offer, but he can't talk about it, what can I do? ”

Gazidis spread his hands.