From Arsenal to the Ball God

”£300,000 weekly pay, over £1.2 million monthly salary, and over £15 million yearly salary, that’s what I’m willing to offer you.”

He pulled a contract from his backpack and handed it to Ma’el, launching his financial offensive, ”Here are the various bonus clauses, including a loyalty bonus.”

”I know, for a club owner to speak privately with a player like this, it might seem casual and hasty, and perhaps not something I can decide alone.

”But believe me, since I’m making this offer, I can overcome other difficulties, and I’m prepared to establish a new salary system. I’ll bring in endless cash.

”You will see someone crazier than Ah Bu, because... I love my team more and appreciate my players more.”

Usmanov had the boldness typical of his country’s image, never holding back and choosing the most direct way to make a major move, and he again expressed to Ma’el his love for the club.

This made Ma’el somewhat believe him. He glanced over the contract and found it indeed more generous and comprehensive than his current bonus contract.

But... just money might not be enough to persuade him, especially after knowing Kroenke’s vision for the club.

Moreover, there’s no rush to make money. His current income is already over £20 million a year, and that’s without breaking a sweat.

”What is Mr. Usmanov’s vision for the club’s future? Besides securing major honors.”

He raised this question to understand the other’s management approach.

”It’s simple, once I bring more cash...”

For the next twenty minutes, Usmanov continued to describe the future he imagined to Ma’el.

Ma’el gradually sensed that this was a boss who knew football well. He certainly learned all the relevant knowledge during his years in the United Kingdom.

But the problems were also apparent. Everything Usmanov proposed followed the same pattern—”I will solve this with money, then the team will have better...”

He’s an enthusiastic person, but he doesn’t seem to have the visionary madness of Kroenke, merely operating steadily within a comfort zone.

He thought about making Arsenal better, but lacked the longer-term pursuit, and also lacked the pursuit of greatness.

As Ma’el listened, a smile crept onto his lips. This wasn’t mocking, rather a sudden surge of accomplishment.

Once upon a time, a boss like this was something Arsenal could only dream of, and he would eagerly await such a person to quickly acquire the club and inject funds to boost its capabilities.

But now, he’s sitting at the negotiation table, considering whether to choose Usmanov or Kroenke.

It seems this season, they’ve indeed stirred up quite a lot.

”That’s basically it.”

Usmanov added ice to their glasses long before he finished speaking. After finishing, he raised his glass, ”You certainly know how important you are to this team now, and how much you influence the final acquisition.

”I hope you think carefully, and I also hope we have a pleasant cooperation.”

Ma’el clinked glasses with him, took a symbolic sip, and put down the glass, ”I will, don’t worry, Mr. Usmanov. Let’s call it a day, I still have to prepare for the final league match.”

”Alright.”

Usmanov stood up, spoke in Russian to the black-suited bodyguard at the door, ”Escort Ma’el! Ensure the player’s safe return home, he’s now one of the club’s most important assets!”

Ma’el didn’t understand, but roughly guessed what was being said and quickly responded, ”I drove here, I’ll drive myself back, thank you for the offer.”

Usmanov glanced back at the glass, found no difference from before, and nodded, ”Then I’ll see you off downstairs, let’s go.”

Ma’el soon drove his Ferrari, rolled down the window for a final goodbye, ”Good luck, Mr. Usmanov.”

”Good luck.” Usmanov waved to him and anxiously shouted as Ma’el started the car, ”I truly love this team and want to make it better, support me, Leon!”

Ma’el didn’t roll down the window again, just drove slowly away. Through the left rearview mirror, he saw someone standing by the road for a long, long time.

What a dilemma... but he would make, in his opinion, the best choice.

That afternoon, he signed a cooperation agreement with the club, which would sell cups, socks, scarves, keychains, mascot dolls, and other merchandise with his image and photos.

He would receive 50% of the profits, which, if done well, might bring him £2 million a year.

This is the importance of image rights. If this wasn’t in his hands, the club wouldn’t need to pay him this fee.

”Pleasant cooperation.”

He shook hands with Wenger for a photo, jokingly with a good mood, ”Everything else is fine, it’s just a bit weird with socks featuring my image.

”I can hardly imagine how it’s designed, wouldn’t wearing it be uncomfortable?”

”Haha...!” Wenger laughed and replied, ”Maybe it’s not your image, just some letters and symbols, like CR7.”

Ma’el nodded and continued, ”So what am I, LM7? LM31? Sounds a bit off.

”How about this, let’s go with EA7, pick two letters, and maybe have a trademark lawsuit with that gaming company. I don’t mind sharing this brand name with them.”

Wenger laughed again, Ma’el’s jokes had evolved from awkward to unrealistic.