That’s right, Chen Ran came exactly for the newly 18-year-old Luka Modrić.
“Haha, Mr.
Chen is too polite.” Being flattered by a club owner from the UK made Mamić feel somewhat proud.
“Looking at Mr.
Chen’s name, you aren’t British, are you?”
“That’s right, I am Chinese.
I just bought Crystal Palace, so I want to buy some players to strengthen the team.
Someone watched Dinamo Zagreb’s Modrić play and recommended him to me.”
“Oh, Chinese, welcome, welcome.
Mr.
Chen has a good eye.
Modrić is a genius; he can absolutely become a superstar in the future.
However, he is the core midfielder of Dinamo Zagreb and is not for sale.
I’m afraid Mr.
Chen will be disappointed this time.”
Chen Ran curled his lip inwardly.
An 18-year-old core?
Who are you kidding?
What “not for sale,” this guy just wants to open his mouth wide like a lion.
“Mr.
Mamić, we came with sincerity.
I want to rebuild Crystal Palace and need massive signings, so I have many target candidates to talk to.
You also know the transfer window is limited.
If Modrić is truly not for sale, then we won’t waste your time.
Goodbye.”
Chen Ran advanced by retreating, wanting to see who would crack first.
After saying that, he stood up, looking ready to leave.
“Mr.
Chen, please wait a moment.” Mamić hurriedly called out to Chen Ran.
He wasn’t sure if Chen Ran was advancing by retreating or if he really meant to leave.
After all, Chen Ran was too young, and young people acted impulsively, making it hard for Mamić to judge.
Seeing the strategy worked, Chen Ran felt assured.
This guy was willing to sell; the rest was just bargaining.
Thus, over the next few days, the two sides engaged in a battle of words.
Although Mamić was a tyrant in Croatian football, when dealing with a British club, he played mostly by the rules and didn’t use any underhanded tactics.
In the end, Chen Ran bought the 18-year-old Modrić for 4 million euros.
Installments over two years, 2 million euros per year.
Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
There was a team here that had once won the Champions League—the illustrious Red Star Belgrade.
“Chen, is this Vidić really as good as you say?
For a center-back, 22 is still too young.” “Don’t let his 22 years fool you.
He’s already the captain of Red Star Belgrade.” “What?
A 22-year-old captain?
It seems the head coach of Red Star is really bold.” “Pepe is only 20, Chiellini is only 19.
The defensive line they form with Vidić will be enough for us to use for ten years.” “Uh…
Chen, isn’t this defensive line a bit too young?” “It’s fine.
We’ll just find a veteran to hold down the fort.” “You have a target?” “Yes, but that’s for after we get back to the UK.
Let’s secure Vidić first.”
For many Eastern European players, playing in mainstream European leagues has always been a dream.
Nemanja Vidić was no exception.
And these Eastern European clubs were also happy to send the players they trained to mainstream European leagues in exchange for transfer fees.
This was their way of making money, which even a team like Red Star Belgrade, who had won the Champions League, couldn’t avoid.
Therefore, from the Red Star Club to Vidić himself, they all welcomed Chen Ran’s arrival.
Although the fact that Crystal Palace was only a Championship team made Vidić hesitate a bit, under the powerful persuasion of Chen Ran and Luis, he eventually nodded in agreement.
However, because Vidić was the team captain and starting center-back, Red Star’s price was firm.
Chen Ran ultimately signed Vidić for 4 million euros.
Old rules: a two-year installment plan, 2 million euros a year.
Donetsk, the capital of the Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine.
“Chen, you say this Yaya Touré is clearly an African player.
Why would he come to Ukraine to play?
Isn’t he afraid of freezing to death?” Luis was speechless.
Where did Chen Ran find these oddballs?
“That exactly shows the guy is highly adaptable.”
With that, Chen Ran took Luis straight to the Metalurh Donetsk club.
“What?
You want to buy Yaya Touré?
That African?” The receptionist looked at Chen Ran and Luis curiously.
Although the business card said “Crystal Palace Club, UK,” these two guys didn’t look British at all.
Were they scammers?
In Metalurh Donetsk, far from the center of European football, this was the first time they were dealing with a British club; caution was necessary.
Chen Ran had no choice but to open his laptop again and find news with his photo to prove he wasn’t a scammer.
As mentioned before, these Eastern European clubs never opposed selling players to continental Europe.
After confirming Chen Ran’s identity, the two received a warm welcome from the Ukrainians.
Yaya Touré, this guy who had wandered to Ukraine, certainly wouldn’t object to returning to somewhere warmer.
During the winter that just passed, he almost froze to death in the Ukrainian cold.
Ultimately, Chen Ran bought Yaya Touré for 1.5 million euros.
Rare for him, he didn’t use installments this time.
“Luis, book flights.
We’re returning to London.” “Great!
We’re finally going back.
I thought your next stop would be Moscow.” The chubby guy screamed and jumped up happily.
Since entering Eastern Europe, his proud football network had broken down.
Being unable to help made him feel like a useless person, which was very uncomfortable.
“You’ll be busy when we get back.
You need to help me buy two players from Brazil.” “Really?
We’re buying Brazilians now?
Haha, the time to show my strength has finally come!”
Luis’s father was Uruguayan, but Brazil was their family’s base camp.
Of all the players Chen Ran had bought previously, except for Pepe, introduced by Mendes, none were Brazilian.
Luis had thought Chen Ran didn’t like Brazilian players.
“When you go back to Brazil to buy players this time, have a good talk with your dad and older brother.
In the future, if we plan to bring players from South America, you’ll be in charge.
As long as our Crystal Palace gets bigger and stronger, maybe your older brother will have to suck up to you.”
“Chen…
thank you.” Hearing Chen Ran’s words, the chubby guy grabbed Chen Ran’s hand, too emotional to speak.
He had left home in a fit of pique because his dad was biased, running all the way to the UK, always wanting to build a career to prove himself.
Chen Ran was creating an opportunity for him; Luis knew this perfectly well.
Judging from the series of signings before, Chen Ran had his own special channels, and it didn’t really make a difference whether Luis helped or not.
“Alright, stop being gross.
Just do your job honestly, I’ll send people to audit the accounts.” Chen Ran shook off Luis’s fat hand, pushing the chubby guy away with a look of disgust; he wasn’t gay.