460 An Invitation from Ferguson (1/2)
”No one knew what it meant for Anelka's brothers to show up next to Benítez...”
Twain stared intently at the news still playing on the television.
”Tony?” Dunn asked next to him.
”What the hell does that mean? Isn't it clear enough?” Twain muttered as he turned to walk up the stairs, not hearing Dunn's words.
Twain went upstairs and searched for Anelka's phone number. He stood at the window and dialed the number.
He certainly knew what it meant.
What else can it mean? Anelka's brothers are up to something again. No, maybe the two of them have received Anelka's instructions this time.
He had replaced Anelka in the Champions League final. At the time, Twain's mind was full of the game alone, and he did not think too much about it. Later, after the game had ended, he calmly thought about it and supposed that the replacement might have upset Anelka. However, as he was held back by all sorts of matters, he did not look for the Frenchman to explain his reasons for this substitution.
Ah, I didn't think… I really didn't think Anelka would make a move so quickly by allowing his brothers contact other clubs.
An unanswered beep came from the phone.
Twain slammed his phone onto the bed.
He could now finally understand how Wenger felt when he had called Anelka.
Are you playing this card again?
※※※
Dunn looked strangely at Twain coming down the stairs.
”He didn't answer?” he asked.
Twain nodded, went to the couch, and sat down in a huff.
”Is he leaving, then?”
”Do you think I can still make him change his mind?”
”I'd advise against letting him go. We're short a fast striker.”
”We can go to the transfer market and find…”
”From a tactical point of view, he is best suited to the current team.”
When Twain heard Dunn say so, he shook his head helplessly. ”I admit that. He was great, taking a season to get used to the team. Wait a minute.” He suddenly sat up, ”I'm not letting him go. It's not going to be that easy. But this can't be ignored either. I think that we should continue to strengthen our front line.”
Dunn was a little surprised to hear that, ”You still want to buy a striker?”
”Bingo.” Twain nodded firmly.
※※※
The Calciopoli happened as scheduled. That had not changed at all. It was exactly the same implicated clubs and people.
Juventus was stripped of its Serie A title and its relegation to Serie B was almost certain to be on the cards. Now, everyone was focused on what would happen to another powerhouse team; whether AC Milan would be relegated or penalized with point deduction.
Real Madrid was frantically courting AC Milan's midfield core, Kaka. As long as AC Milan was eventually sentenced to relegation, then Kaka would be almost certain to leave the team.
The slight inconsistency with what Twain knew of the ”Phone Gate” incident was the players who ran away after the Juventus supermarket was opened.
Capello took three of his players and hurried to Real Madrid when he took over.
Yes, there were three players.
They were the captain of the Italian national team and this FIFA World Cup's Golden Ball winner, the center back, Fabio Cannavaro, the Brazilian midfielder, Emerson, and the most important person, the one very much valued by Capello, the French striker, David Trezeguet.
Trezeguet joined Real Madrid and was the best center forward in Capello's mind.
As a result, the future of another player who should have joined Real Madrid would become unknown.
”The Bundesliga team Bayern Munich has officially asked Manchester United about the price for Ruud van Nistelrooy. The relationship between the Dutch striker and Ferguson was completely damaged before the World Cup. He was also not trusted by Marco van Basten at the World Cup. It looks like the Dutchman needs a different place to start over.”
Twain switched off the satellite television at Evan Doughty's office and played with the remote control in his hand.
”That's your target, Tony?” asked Doughty.
Twain nodded, ”That's right. We need a player who can absolutely dominate in the penalty area and I can't think of anyone better than him.”
Sitting across him, Allan also nodded lightly. ”From a commercial standpoint, if van Nistelrooy could come, it will greatly stimulate our jersey sales. He's a real world-class football star.” The two men were in complete agreement this time.
After he listened to the two men, Evan Doughty was silent for a moment, and then he looked up at Twain, ”For such a world-class player, you know what kind of remuneration he would ask for, right?”
”Of course; we might need to come up with a salary that is higher than the team's current maximum wage to attract him. But we have one advantage that we can make use of.” Twain put up his index finger.
”Oh?” Evan Doughty and Allan Adams were piqued when Twain said the word, ”advantage.”
”Van Nistelrooy is turning thirty soon. He did not have a good time at Manchester United last season and did not have an important position at the World Cup. Almost everyone believed that his career has come to an end, that he should consider his retirement, that it's no longer possible for him to recreate the brilliance of his 'king of the goal area' years… Under such circumstances, no one would give him a higher salary than what he receives at Manchester United. It's impossible for even our rival, Bayern Munich. So, if he's going to come, it must be the highest salary on the team. But I think it's within the reach of the club.”
After listening to Twain's analysis, Evan Doughty glanced at Allan. He wanted to hear the opinions of the marketing manager and financial advisor.
Allan ruminated for a moment and said, ”Our performance as the Champions League runner-up has given us a lot of television broadcast fees, plus the winning bonuses after each game. The club has plenty of funds available for Tony to use in the transfer market this summer.”
When he heard that answer, Twain smiled. That was what he had hoped to hear.
”Furthermore, based on van Nistelrooy's influence and foreseeable returns, it's worth the investment. I agree with that transfer plan.”
Since Allan had agreed, Evan would not have any objections. ”In that case, Tony, just go ahead with what you've laid out. We can contact Manchester United now.”
”I'll get busy.” Twain stood up, intending to leave.
However, Evan stopped him. ”Tony, did you hear about Anelka?”
Twain looked back at Allan, sitting on the couch, and nodded. ”I've heard.”
”Well, is there anything you can do about it?”
”I called, but no one answered.” Twain shook his head. ”The players are still on holiday and I can't get in touch with him. We can only wait until training starts again.”
Evan thought about it and waved his hand. ”I see. I'll let you go and get busy.”