205 Get Ready Part 2 (1/2)
Chapter 205: Get Ready Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After losing Alan Smith, Tang En could only wish the ingenious striker, known as the successor of Mark Hughes, good luck. If Smith could not escape his fate in the end, then Tang En could only sigh helplessly.
The second person that Tang En was interested in was Smith's front-line partner at Leeds United: Mark Viduka. That name was deeply ingrained in Tang En's mind. When he was still in school in China, he had already heard the Australian's name. That time was probably the most glorious period of this young Leeds United player's life, and the whole world knew that Australia had two talented players, one named Harry Kewell and the other named Mark Viduka.
During that time, Tang En still remembered a local football magazine describing Mark Viduka as an ”Australian Bull,” because he was so strong. As a result, Tang En had always figured that Mark Viduka was a quintessential British-style striker who relied on his bodily strength to play, had crude footwork, and was only good at headers.
Later, he discovered he was very much mistaken. Mark Viduka's strong physique was his advantage, but he was, at the same time, a very well-rounded striker, and his footwork was nowhere near as crude as Tang En had assumed.
In the Forest team's frontline, all three strikers had a common trait: they were too young, and lacked the experience of the European arena. On the other hand, Viduka had exactly that type of experience. At that time, when he had been on the Leeds United team, they had eliminated AC Milan.
Mark Viduka was currently the most suitable striker for the Forest team in every aspect. Having made up his mind, Twain made Leeds United an offer of 4.5 million pounds to purchase Mark Viduka. The Forest team quickly received a response: Leeds United had refused the offer.
There were, after all, a lot of teams pursuing Mark Viduka at the same time. For example, the team closest to the Australian was Middlesbrough, who had also offered 4.5 million pounds. Leeds United was harsh towards Twain because the Forest team was the most active club in the transfer market this summer, and they thought that their offer of 4.5 million pounds was too little.
This was a clear ripoff, but Twain was happy to have Leeds United jack up the price. That was not because he wanted Leeds United to make more money and get themselves out of their financial crisis as soon as possible; he was not so kind-hearted. Rather, he was feeling generous because Forest was in good financial shape, and Allan had hoped that Twain would be able to pull off a ”massive deal.” If Leeds United felt that 4.5 million pounds was not enough, then Allan too would find it inadequate.
Consequently, the Forest team made a second offer right away. Twain increased Mark Viduka's value by 1.5 million pounds, offering to buy him for six million pounds.
That price was beyond the benchmark of the other pursuing teams. Even Middlesbrough, who had initially been determined to win, hesitated. Middlesbrough was furious at the way Nottingham Forest liked to barge in when others were nearing the end of their negotiations. Last season, Twain had seized away their opportunity for qualification for the UEFA Europa League. And now, a player that they were interested in was going to be snatched. It was incredibly aggravating.
No matter how furious they were, the Middlesbrough team had no other options. Compared to the triumphant Nottingham Forest team, which just received an injection of funds and had been promoted to the Premier League, Middlesbrough was very poor. Their annual transfer budget was pathetic. If it was not, why would they have to wait for discounts before they were able to buy players?