From Arsenal to the Ball God

He can’t quite remember the year Giroud went to Arsenal, only recalling that after Van Persie left, Giroud dedicated the peak years of his career to the team, even winning the Puskas Award with a team goal once.

”The salary negotiation is on.” Giroud should be looking forward to being teammates with him, he couldn’t help but smile foolishly, ”My agent told me to wait until after the European Cup to start negotiations.

”In case we can go further, or if I can score, perform well, then I’ll get a better contract.”

Ma’el gave him a glance, wanting to ask if his agent learned from Mendes.

”Good idea.” He didn’t feel anything was wrong, players should consider this; he certainly wouldn’t lament Kroenke’s money.

Speaking of which, his own salary negotiation should be soon too; why hasn’t Mendes revealed anything to him about it?

Is there some hidden agenda?

After finishing his meal, Ma’el bid farewell to Giroud, making a point to say before leaving: ”I hope to see you at Arsenal next season, and hope we both play well in the European Cup to secure better contracts.”

”Definitely!” Giroud waved at him, eyes full of longing, evidently having longed for a big club.

Ma’el had just walked out of the cafeteria when his phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was Wenger calling.

”Could this be another persuasion task for me? At this time, it’s unlikely a call to wish me well in the European Cup.”

”Hahaha.....!”

Wenger’s laughter came through the phone before he confirmed: ”There’s indeed a task I want to give you, as you know, all clubs send their best players to persuade others.

”You guys can offer others greater hope, make them feel valued, assured of being safe from exclusion at the club, which is sometimes something even a coach can’t provide.”

”Is it Giroud? It shouldn’t be, I just talked with him. Is it Thiago Silva? Oscar?”

Ma’el asked out a few names, showing his keen focus on the club’s transfer situation, as that’s his main line, the European Cup is just a huge side quest of fame and honor.

”We do have those, but no need to rush. The one we want most isn’t any of them, it’s a superstar.”

”A superstar?” Ma’el showed interest, wondering if there were thrilling transfer options.

”That’s right.” After some consideration, Wenger revealed the whole truth, ”We want to catch the transfer market off guard and relieve the external pressure on us.

”Let me be upfront; don’t be shy, I feel there’s nothing we can’t say, these words won’t affect anything.

”Real Madrid really, really wants you, Florentino is almost crazy, he’s chased all the way to Poland to engage in secret talks with Mendes, which very few people should know.”

Ma’el was shocked inside; Mendes’s absence recently is indeed due to being busy with other important matters.

”And the person we want is Florentino’s backup option in case he can’t sign you.”

Wenger’s voice carried a hint of cunning, along with resentment towards Real Madrid, ”So, we’re preparing to secretly sign this person, leaving Real Madrid stripped of all ’clothing’ to be stark naked.

”This will disrupt their plans; they’ll be busy seeking the next Plan B, thereby momentarily slowing their pursuit of Plan A.... In the pursuit of excellence and a fallback, most will consider the fallback first.

”This way, our pressure will naturally ease, and there’s hope of securing the last piece of the super forward puzzle.

”On the other hand, Real Madrid will surely be furious after being stolen from.

”Once angry, a person might act impulsively, even the most prudent may reveal many flaws, allowing others opportunities to trouble them.

”This is double insurance; whether Real Madrid intends to go all-in on you or seeks Plan B, their success rate drops significantly, potentially causing significant damage to the team.”

”So this person is Bell?”

Ma’el felt even more surprised after hearing, not astonished at Arsenal daring to rival against Real Madrid for Bell, engaging in a slightly retaliatory battle.

What surprised him more is Wenger choosing to disclose this to him..... This is clearly taboo in club-player relationships, never something a coach would reveal to a player.

His mind was somewhat disordered, what exactly was Wenger thinking, was he separating himself from a club standpoint, speaking from a private perspective?

Or is he genuinely valuing and trusting him to the utmost, seeing no secrets between them.

Anyway, that’s surprising enough..... Whether Arsenal and Wenger can catch the transfer market and Real Madrid off guard he doesn’t know, anyway, they’ve caught him off guard firsthand.

”That’s right.”

”Mr. Wenger telling me this, is he never worried I’ll choose Real Madrid?”

Ma’el decided to ask his inner thoughts, ”Or is he treating the player me as one person, the private me as another, finding a balance point in interaction?”

”Haha.....!”

Wenger laughed twice again, as if he had long prepared for such questions, ”Because I understand you well, I know what you want, and what’s most important to you.

”You’re confident you can bring anything to any team, wherever you are, you might even have this feeling at Sheffield United.