At first, Paolo Fortre was a little upset when he heard Diego Simeone say that he wanted the club to bring in another striker of the level of Diego Costa. After all, as the general manager of the team, I still want to "spend less money and do more things" as much as possible.

However, when Diego Simeone finally mentioned the La Liga trophy, Paul Fortre's eyes lit up.

Although winning the La Liga title will not directly bring a lot of prize money to Atletico Madrid, the title of league champion will allow the club to get more sponsorship fees, and the influence of the club will also be a huge increase, and it will be more convincing when introducing famous stars.

However, the thought of the huge transfer fee required to bring in players makes Paul Forley a headache.

"Diego - I think it's also very clear that when we brought in Feng Quan, Villa and others in the summer transfer window, we almost spent the club's transfer budget. So, unless we sell Costa, we simply don't have enough money to buy other strikers of his ability. Paul Forley said helplessly.

"Paul, of course I know very well what you say." After a pause, Diego Simeone continued: "However, I heard that a Chinese company is preparing to buy a stake in our club recently. I believe that if this can be done in the end, it should be enough to bring in a player of Costa's quality. ”

As early as 2011, when Wonder Group launched the "China Youth Football Study Abroad Program", it established a relatively pleasant cooperative relationship with Atletico Madrid. Therefore, for the Atletico Madrid club, which is not too wealthy, the plan proposed by Wonder Group to buy equity is still quite interesting.

It's just that because the team's performance this season is very outstanding, the club's senior management hopes to "squeeze" more funds in the "cooperation" with Wonder Group. Although the cooperation with Wonder Group has not yet been finalized, the news has not been announced to the outside world. However, as the club's first-team manager, Diego Simeone did not come as a surprise to Paul Fortre when he learned the news.

"Diego, working with that Chinese company could help the club get a lot of money, but do you think Enrique [Cerezo] will agree to put all that money into the transfer market?" Paul Forley said with his hands outstretched.

"Paul, although I don't know exactly what the Chinese company offered, I believe that the amount will not be less than 50 million euros."

After a pause, Diego Simeone said with a firm expression: "I don't expect the club to put all this money into the transfer market, as long as the team can put half of this money into the transfer market, I am at least 70% sure that I can win the league title." ”

Although Paul Fortre subjectively did not want to invest more money in the transfer market, after seeing the determined expression on Diego Simeone's face, he agreed to the other party's request in a miraculous way.

"Diego, as an old partner, I have a lot of trust in your ability to judge the strength of the team. So, if we can finally work out the deal with the Chinese company, I will provide you with at least 30 million euros in the winter transfer period, including the remaining 6 million euros in the summer transfer period. ”

After a pause, Paul Fortre continued: "But, since I agreed to your request, you have to lead the team to win the league title this season. Otherwise, by next summer, you will also have 30 million euros in funding cut. If you can agree to this condition, I'll go and convince that guy Enrique. ”

Hearing this, Diego Simeone immediately agreed to the conditions proposed by Paul Fortre. After all, even if he can't win the league championship this season, he will only be cut off 30 million transfer funds tomorrow summer.

Failure to agree to the terms offered by the opposition would mean that the team will not be able to bring in reinforcements in the winter transfer window. As a result, the club will also spend a lot of money in the transfer market to fill the void left by Diego Costa after selling him next summer. However, whether the new players will be able to quickly integrate into the team's tactical system after joining is something that no one can say.

So, instead of waiting until next summer to spend more money on "gambling" signings, it is better to bring in new signings early in the winter transfer window to give them more time to integrate into the team's tactical system.

Just as Paul Fortre drank all the beer in his glass and was about to get up to say goodbye, Diego Simeone spoke again: "Paul, I want you to do me another favor......"

…………

27 October, Real Sociedad's home stadium, Anota Stadium.

Despite the on-the-road attitude of Almeria, Real Sociedad midfielder Harvey Prieto broke the deadlock with a pinpoint cross from the right side of the pitch just nine minutes into the game.

Twenty-five minutes later, Gonzalo Castro passed the ball to Javi Prieto near the top of the box near the top of the box on the right side.

After receiving the pass, Xavi Prieto faked a shot to deceive the defender with his legs, but then sent a through ball with his right foot to the left side of the box.

Griezmann, who had the advantage of speed and shook off the defenders, met the direction of the incoming ball and fired directly into the top right corner of the Almeria goal.

In the 63rd minute of the second half, Griezmann sent a low cross to the goal post about six or seven meters from the bottom line after getting rid of two defenders in succession on the left flank.

Harvey Prieto, who arrived on the lap, swept the ball directly into the bottom left corner of the goal with his left foot.

In the end, with Griezmann's two shots and one pass, Real Sociedad at home easily defeated the visiting Almeria team.

Just as many fans walked to the exit of the stadium in an orderly manner under the command of the staff, the mobile phone of Gerardo Guzmán, the chief scout of Atletico Madrid, who was sitting in the VIP box, suddenly rang.

After seeing that the caller on his phone was David Costas (Atletico Madrid scout), Gerardo Guzmán pressed the answer button.

"David, is your game over there too?"

David Costas: "Yes, Boss. ”

Gerardo Guzmán: "Tell me how your situation is going?" ”

David Costas: "Rayo Vallecano lost the game, but Saul's breakthrough on the flank made the Almeria defenders very bad. ”

"Well, if it weren't for that kid who likes to stick to the ball too much, Diego [Simeone] would have given him more playing time." Gerardo Guzmán said helplessly.

"Boss, you're really wrong this time. Saul is a kid who still likes to dribble the ball alone, but his pass was still very timely in today's game. Unfortunately, his team-mates up front were so unlucky that he could have converted at least one or two assists into a few crosses from the wings. ”

"Oh? You mean that kid is trying to change his style of play? Gerardo Guzmán will be skeptical.

"Yes, Boss."

"Okay, you go back today and sort out that kid's game video and statistics, and send them to my office tomorrow morning."