Football Feast, Starting From the Acquisition of European Clubs

   Chapter 225 The Power of the International Champions Cup

"U.S?"

  Tom Hicks and George Gillette looked at each other, a little excited and a little hesitant.

  As Americans, after the two of them decided to invest in football, their first consideration must be their own country.

   However, after carefully examining the situation of each team in the Major League Soccer, they found that the situation is not optimistic.

  Although data shows that more and more young Americans are now interested in football. But among adults who are the main consumers, football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey are the more popular sports.

   As a result, most Major League Soccer teams don’t make money.

  Some teams were forced to disband due to poor management.

   Therefore, Tom Hicks and George Gillette were stimulated by the Glazer family's acquisition of Manchester United and went to the UK to acquire Premier League clubs.

   Now, this Chinese actually wants them to go back to the United States to start a football club, which is completely opposite to their purpose of coming to the UK.

   However, Chen Ran's Galaxy Football Group plan is really attractive, and Tom Hicks and George Gillette don't want to give up.

   "Mr. Chen, why don't we buy another club in the UK to join Galaxy Football Group?"

  George Gillette asked a standard football layman question.

   "Because neither the FA nor UEFA will allow it. UEFA's regulations are very clear. Teams with the same shareholders cannot participate in the same level of competition."

  Chen Ran was also surprised by the ignorance of this question.

   "That's right. If it's just me and Tom who have invested in the acquisition, wouldn't we be able to circumvent this rule?"

  George Gillette had a pretty good idea, maybe that was his real purpose.

   "Mr. Gillette, if the team you buy does not have my shares, then it is a direct competitor of Crystal Palace Club. In this case, how can I let this team join the Galaxy Football Group?"

   Hehe, it seems that these Americans are not ignorant of the rules, but they just want to use the resources of the Galaxy Football Group, but they cannot allow themselves to become a shareholder. Sure enough, none of them are fuel-efficient lamps.

   Seeing that Chen Ran categorically rejected their proposals, Tom Hicks and George Gillette looked at each other again.

   "Mr. Chen, frankly speaking, we are very interested in your Galaxy Football Group project. But because it is too different from our previous plan, we need a little time to think about it."

   This time it was Tom Hicks who spoke up again. It seemed that the two Americans had a clear division of labor.

   "Of course, this is a matter of course. But I need to remind you that in the current plan of the Galaxy Football Group, the same country will only have one team."

   "So, if someone talks to me about building a team in America first, then you don't have a chance."

   Before ending the negotiation, Chen Ran added a little pressure to the two Americans.

  While Chen Ran was negotiating with the two Americans, there was also a big discussion about Chen Ran in the Manchester United club.

   "Gentlemen, this meeting is held today mainly because of an invitation letter from Crystal Palace Club. They intend to invite four teams, including us, to play a few friendly matches in the United States."

"In short, it is to go to the United States to make money. According to the introduction in the invitation letter, this competition adopts a single round-robin competition system. Each team only needs to play three games, and then the appearance fee is allocated according to the results of the games. Even the results The worst and last place can also get 5 million euros in income.”

The speaker was David Gill, the CEO of Manchester United. In addition to the head coach Ferguson, there was Malcolm Glazer, the current owner of the Manchester United club, and his two sons, Avf, who is also a director of the Manchester United club. Ram Glazer and Joel Glazer.

   If this kind of thing was put in the past, it could be decided as long as David Gill and Ferguson discussed it.

   But since the Glazer family took over Manchester United, all things related to money have to go through the consent of these Americans.

   "Huh? It seems that the Chinese from Crystal Palace is quite good. It's interesting to think of taking us with you when there is a chance to make money."

   Hearing that the team can make at least 5 million euros by making a trip to the United States, Avram Glazer was in a good mood.

  There is no way, outsiders don’t know, in fact, the current Glazer family is burdened with heavy debts and is under great pressure.

  Although these debts were passed on to the Manchester United club, since the rise of Crystal Palace in the past two years, Manchester United has not won any decent championships.

  Whether it is the Premier League or the Champions League, Manchester United has nothing.

   This also makes Manchester United's profit far lower than the Glazer family expected.

  If they can't repay on time, their Manchester United shares will no longer be surnamed Glazer.

   Now hearing that you can make a lot of money with just three games, how can you not get the three Glazers excited.

   "Cough, Mr. Glazer, 5 million euros for three games, this price is not too high for us Manchester United."

   Seeing the happy faces of these Americans, David Gill pouted inwardly. Manchester United fell into the hands of these swollen and fat Americans, and it is estimated that the future will be difficult.

   "Haha, David, didn't you say that 5 million euros is just the lowest price. At that time, let's let the players play more seriously and come back with a championship. Wouldn't the appearance fee be more?"

  David Gill's words did not affect the good mood of the three Glazers at all.

   For them, what they say is false, and it is the most important thing to have cash in their accounts.

   "Sir Ferguson, we must attend this invitation from Crystal Palace, do you have any comments?"

   Fortunately, the old Glazer is not as frivolous as his two sons, remember to ask Ferguson's opinion.

"Mr. Malcolm, I have no problem with participating in this friendly. But when we transfer in the summer, we must bring in a strong player to replace the vacancy left by Roy Keane. This matter cannot be delayed any longer. "

  Ferguson is also not a fuel-efficient lamp, and took the opportunity to make his own request.

   "This. Sir Alex Ferguson, as you know, Manchester United has no money now."

  Old Glazer spread his hands, posing as if he wanted money or not.

   Seeing the rogue look of Old Glazer, the corners of Ferguson's mouth twitched slightly.

  Wow, who caused Manchester United to have no money? Who took all the money to pay off the loan?

   "Mr. Malcolm, don't we have money to go to the friendly match this time?"

   Good guy, this Ferguson was waiting here, old Glazer narrowed his eyes slightly.

   "Sir Ferguson, I need this money urgently. I really can't let you buy players. You should find another way."

   In order to be afraid of Ferguson's continued entanglement, the old Glazer simply played a rogue, I just don't pay, what can you do?

   Seeing that old Glazer was still acting like a rogue despite his age, Ferguson flushed with anger, took a few deep breaths, and then forcibly suppressed his anger.

   "Mr. Malcolm, you also know that how much money a team can make is closely related to the results it achieves."

   "Manchester United haven't won any decent championships in the past two years. If this continues, the club's income will only decrease. I think this situation, you don't want to see it, Mr. Malcolm."

   Hearing Ferguson talk about his biggest concern about income, the old Glazer sat up straight and looked at Ferguson seriously.

   "Sir Ferguson, I understand what you said. But if I can't repay the loan on time, the Manchester United shares in my hand will be someone else's, so whether the Manchester United club can win the championship has nothing to do with me?"

  Old Glazer's words were so realistic that they were bone-chilling and made Ferguson speechless.

"Okay Sir Alex Ferguson, I know you're thinking of Manchester United as well. Well, you can sell some of the players you don't need and use the money to bring in the players you need. I promise not to hit the money Are you satisfied with your idea now?"

  Old Glazer has been in the shopping mall for so many years, what scene have you not seen?

   To deal with Ferguson, the football coach, it is easy to handle.

  If it wasn't for the need to keep Ferguson to appease the fans, the old Glazer would have swept him out of the house long ago. No matter how long he stayed at Manchester United, he was just a stinky part-timer.

   Now hit a stick and then give a sweet date, this is a warning to Ferguson, don't give a shame.

   finalized the matter of participating in the International Champions Cup, and the old Glazer took his two sons and prepared to leave.

Before    went out, he turned to look at David Gill, who was pretending to be dead.

   "David, you have to remember that for Manchester United, the championship is very important. But making money is more important. Understand?"

   "Understood, Mr. Malcolm."

"very good."

  Silence, deathly silence.

  After the three Glazers left, the whole room seemed to be empty.

   "Alex, are you all right?"

   Seeing Ferguson sitting motionless on the sofa, David Gill asked worriedly.

   "I'm fine."

  Ferguson shook his head, "David, their last words just now were not just for you, but for me."

  Ferguson is now increasingly regretting the introduction of the Glazer family to Manchester United, but he can only accept it through gritted teeth.

   The sins of one's own making, only oneself bears.

   "Okay, David, let's discuss the transfer."

   "Alex, which player do you want to bring in?"

   "Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Michael Carrick."

   "Tottenham Hotspur? Alex, Daniel Levy is not easy to deal with. If we want to buy someone from him, I'm afraid he will kill him."

"I know, but Carrick is probably the most likely candidate to buy at the moment. In fact, I prefer the midfielders in the Crystal Palace team, whether it's Yaya Toure or Mascherano. . However, it is obviously impossible for the Chinese to sell it to us."

   "But, Alex, I must remind you that all the money in our account was taken away by the Glazer family."

   "It doesn't matter, didn't they say just now? You can use the money from selling players to sign up. Tell me, have any clubs been interested in our players recently?"

   "Alex, are you really going to sell players?"

  David Gill looked at Ferguson in surprise. It seemed that the old man was really being pushed.

   "Otherwise, what should we do? Now Manchester United doesn't have a good midfielder in the middle, which is a huge loophole. If we don't solve this problem, any championship has nothing to do with us."

   "Understood. In fact, some people really like our players, but I don't think you will agree."

   "Who do you like? Wouldn't it be our main player?"

   "Alex, do you think Real Madrid might be interested in our substitute?"

  David Gill looked at Ferguson with a wry smile. The last player Manchester United bought by Real Madrid was Beckham, the star at that time.

   "Real Madrid? Who are they interested in?"

   "Vannister Rui."

   "Luther."

   Seeing that Ferguson did not refuse on the spot, but fell into contemplation, David Gill was shocked. The old man would not really plan to sell the team's main center, right?

   "David, Luther, are you thirty years old this year?"

   "Yes. Alex, are you really going to sell Van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid?"

   "As the age increases, Luther's injuries have begun to increase. Another point, don't forget that Luther was seriously injured back then."

  Although Ferguson did not directly say the conclusion, David Gill already understood what he meant.

"Okay, Alex, I'll try to get as much as I can from Real Madrid. However, as a 30-year-old, Van Nistelrooy's transfer fee may not be too high. This , you have to be mentally prepared."

   "I know. David, you will give me the information of all Manchester United players later. I have to sift through it carefully. If it is useless, just sell it."

   Hearing Ferguson's instructions, David Gill was also heartbroken. When did Manchester United need to sell people to raise money to buy people?

  London, Arsenal Club, Wenger's office.

   "Boss, there is an invitation letter from Crystal Palace, saying that we are invited to play a friendly match in the United States, and we can get at least 5 million euros in appearance fees for three games."

   Assistant Pat Rice said as he handed the invitation to Wenger.

   "Oh? There is such a good thing? I didn't expect that little guy in China to remember us."

   Wenger, who is also worried about money, is also very happy to hear that he has money to make.

  No way, because of the poor record in the past two years, Arsenal now have fewer and fewer opportunities to make money.

   Now, a big piece of pie suddenly fell from the sky, making Wenger's favorable impression of Chen Ran go up.

   (end of this chapter)