From Arsenal to the Ball God

”The three of you together could easily dispel the last bit of hesitation in his heart.

”This is an important signing, the most expensive and initially highest-anticipated signing in the club’s history.”

Is it really close?

Ma’el’s expression changed. Bell once made a promise to him that if he won the European Cup, he would definitely join the team.

He originally thought that the gentleman’s agreement in the turbulent and cruel transfer market was destined to be mere rhetoric, but didn’t expect a turnaround.

Could the biggest transaction in world football history unfold right under his nose?

——”Okay.”

He replied simply, preparing to see Bell at the training base tomorrow.

...

August 7th, Korni Base.

In the head coach’s office, Wenger stood by the window, while Ma’el, Gilbert, and Ramsey sat on the sofa at the side.

While waiting for Bell and the agent to arrive, they chatted leisurely about recent gossip and important events.

”The transfer fee is about to be updated, did you know? Transfermarkt is expected to update the fees within three days.”

Gilbert glanced at Ma’el with a smile and asked, ”The player who created the myth of North London player fee increase, the miracle player from 8 million to 105 million, this time guess how much your fee might increase?”

”Who knows.”

Ma’el smiled and joked with his good brother, Versailles: ”Anyway, it’s already over a hundred million, but it’s just a number. Unless I become number one in the world, I’m not really feeling it.”

”Hmm...” Gilbert looked away disdainfully, while Ramsey and Wenger couldn’t help but chuckle, though they didn’t let Ma’el see.

”Ma’el.”

Wenger quickly turned around, instructing: ”Do you remember? Last season when new signings joined, I asked you and Van Persie to show them around London City.

”This season there are many new signings again, so I need both of you to run a trip, help them quickly get familiar with this city, and develop a sense of belonging to London and Arsenal.”

”No problem.” Ma’el nodded in agreement, as captain, this was his responsibility.

They chatted about other things until Wenger saw two figures approaching from the window, his expression turning serious, ”They’re here, get ready. Finally, emphasize one more time, don’t mention contracts, there’s someone special talking to them about it, we’re just here for casual chat.”

The three nodded solemnly, soon seeing Bell and England’s famous agent tycoon Barnet step through the door, smiling at everyone.

Gilbert stood up to greet his agent, then fist-bumped Bell, ”Great to see you here, Barnet often says you’re the best player under his management, and I agree.”

Bell shyly smiled a bit, then looked past Gilbert to meet Ma’el’s gaze.

Ma’el also stepped forward, meeting his gaze from afar, his eyes filled with a questioning smile about their previous phone conversation.

Noticing this, Bell turned his gaze away, but it was evident from his face the mix of helplessness and embarrassment, as if caught in such a grand transfer deal, he couldn’t single-handedly make all the decisions.

But surely, Bell wasn’t one to avoid problems. He adjusted himself and once again met Ma’el’s gaze, this time with a smile, ”You’re the first European Cup champion I’ve seen this season, congratulations.”

Ma’el certainly didn’t blame him, seeing him initiate a conversation, he replied with a smile: ”There are currently four European Cup champions in the team, you can get to know them well.”

”Please sit.” Wenger invited Barnet and Bell to sit opposite on the sofa and called an assistant to make tea for them.

”Thanks to Gilbert’s influence, I’ve bumped into Ma’el often before, but never had a close chat like this.”

Barnet initiated the conversation, preventing the atmosphere from falling into awkward silence, ”Having this opportunity today is my privilege. I enjoy sitting with the best players in the Premier League.

”Of course, my players Bell and Gilbert, these two are certainly capable of competing for the best player in some league in the future, which is why I work with them.”

They surely knew what they were specifically here to discuss today. It was just initial ice-breaking communication.

Ma’el smiled and nodded to him, steering the topic towards the main conversation, ”Since Mr. Barnet says the strongest three league competitors have two already at Arsenal, why not all three together?

”Only by excellent players working together can they defeat all rivals, achieve the highest honors, and bring glory to the English Professional League in Europe.”

Barnet raised his eyebrows and laughed, ”We’re constantly looking for this kind of opportunity, and this is undoubtedly the best timing, though many things are hard to conclude before reaching finality, we can only strive together.”

”Bell what do you think?” Ma’el saw Barnet sidestep, turning the ball to the simpler-thinking player.

”Ah...” Bell sat back leisurely, buying himself a bit of thinking time, then said earnestly, ”I’ve never forgotten my promise to you, and I’m working hard toward it.

”As long as everything aligns, I’ll join Arsenal, my inner inclination is already very clear.”

As Bell and Barnet exchanged glances, Ma’el also glanced at Wenger diagonally opposite him, and saw the latter’s confidence and certainty in his eyes.

It seemed to express that Arsenal would undoubtedly offer Bell a suitable salary and signing fee, no worries on that front.

This reassured him a lot, with the attitudes of the two across, added with Arsenal’s willingness to invest in Bell... This transfer from all angles was slowly advancing toward success.