Mendes had a great image; judging by his appearance, you could absolutely never tell this was a guy who would brawl with a rival in public.
“Hi, Luis.
I didn’t expect you’d be willing to see me.” After greeting Chen Ran, Mendes looked at Luis with a smile.
“I am now the chief negotiator for Crystal Palace Club.
My dad’s agency was given to my older brother; it has nothing to do with me anymore,” Luis replied grumpily, getting angry just looking at Mendes’s smiling face.
“That’s good.
I was worried you’d punch me.
How about it, interested in coming to help out at my company?
If your dad doesn’t want you, I do.”
Holy sht!* Chen Ran quickly pacified Luis, whose chubby face had turned red, afraid he really would throw a punch at Mendes.
Fck, this Mendes is really something.
Two sentences and he made the chubby guy lose his cool.* Compared to these old foxes, Luis was still too green.
Forget it, I’ll do it myself.
“Mr.
Mendes, we came with sincerity.” Chen Ran looked at Mendes with dissatisfaction.
“Oh, my deepest apologies, Mr.
Chen.
I was just joking with Luis.”
Damn, falling into a disadvantage before we even start talking.
This is tricky.
It seemed Mendes came prepared too.
The guy knew that coming to Portugal meant he definitely had his eye on someone under him.
Plus, given his connection to Luis, Mendes probably already categorized him as a club standing with the Figer family, and right now was likely sharpening his knife, ready to slaughter him.
“Mr.
Mendes, I came this time to talk to you about Cristiano Ronaldo.”
“Ronaldo?” Mendes cast a surprised look at Chen Ran.
This really exceeded his expectations; he didn’t expect Chen Ran’s appetite to be so big.
“Mr.
Chen, Ronaldo is currently the most talented player in my hands, and he’s only 18 this year.
So, he’s very expensive.” “No matter how expensive, there’s a price.
Mr.
Mendes, why not state a price and see if I can accept it?” “Mr.
Chen, many clubs have their eyes on Ronaldo and have made offers to Sporting Lisbon, including giants like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
And Ronaldo is full of anticipation about joining those giants.”
“Forgive my bluntness, but Crystal Palace is just a Championship team; it lacks appeal.
So, this isn’t just about money.”
Chen Ran’s heart sank.
He had rushed to Portugal as soon as he got the loan just to sign C.
Ronaldo before Ferguson.
He didn’t expect that it wasn’t just Man Utd, but other teams were also eyeing C.
Ronaldo.
“Mr.
Mendes, for a championship team like Man United, their wing attacking system is already very complete.
If an 18-year-old Ronaldo goes to Man Utd, can he displace Giggs from the starting lineup?” “We all know that what an 18-year-old player needs most is match time.
If he sits on the bench for two years, even the best talent will be delayed.”
Chen Ran took a sip of coffee and unhurriedly analyzed the pros and cons for C.
Ronaldo, as if he were C.
Ronaldo’s agent.
“Makes sense.
Then how much is Mr.
Chen planning to offer to take Ronaldo away?” “How about 20 million euros?”
Hearing Chen Ran’s offer, even Mendes couldn’t help but be taken aback.
This price had far exceeded his expectations; it seemed this Chinese man was very determined to get Ronaldo.
“Mr.
Chen is indeed very sincere.
Having just obtained a 30 million euro loan, you are willing to spend two-thirds of it to bring in Ronaldo.
I’m impressed.” “It seems Mr.
Mendes understands me very well.” “Haha, Mr.
Chen is probably the hottest topic in the UK right now.
It’d be hard for me not to know.”
Chen Ran shook his head with a bitter smile.
Fck, good news doesn’t leave the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles.* He didn’t expect his reputation to have reached Portugal.
However, this also showed that the plan to hype up Crystal Palace’s visibility by hyping himself had succeeded.
With Cheryl’s blessing, the effect was exceptionally good.
“Since Mr.
Mendes understands my situation, you should know this is the maximum sincerity I can show.
After all, I have to bring in other players; I can’t spend all the money just on Ronaldo.” “That is indeed true.
However, no matter how much the transfer fee is, it goes to Sporting Lisbon.
If he joins Crystal Palace, what do Ronaldo and I get?”
Hearing this, Chen Ran’s spirits lifted.
After going around in circles, they had finally gotten to the main point.
He wasn’t afraid of Mendes asking for a high price; he was afraid Mendes had already reached a private agreement with Man Utd.
“If Ronaldo joins Crystal Palace, he will receive a five-year contract, an annual salary of 2 million euros, and a promise of a starting position.” “Mhm, Mr.
Chen is very sincere.” Mendes nodded in satisfaction.
This was 2003.
Being able to offer a 2 million euro annual salary to an unproven 18-year-old player proved Chen Ran really was sincere.
“If Mr.
Mendes can bring Ronaldo to Crystal Palace, aside from the 10% commission, with a cap of 20 million euros, whatever price you can get Sporting Lisbon to accept, I will give all the remaining difference to you.”
Chen Ran threw out his trump card.
He didn’t believe Mendes could resist such a massive temptation.
“Mr.
Chen, you mean…” Mendes was stunned by Chen Ran’s grand gesture; he almost couldn’t believe his ears.
“For example, if Sporting Lisbon agrees to sell Ronaldo to Crystal Palace for 10 million euros, then the remaining 10 million euros will all belong to you, Mr.
Mendes.”
Gulp.
Chen Ran clearly heard the sound of swallowing.
“Chen, are you crazy?” Before Mendes could speak, Luis panicked and grabbed Chen Ran’s arm.
“It’s fine, Luis.
I’m very clear-headed, and I know what I’m doing.
Listen to me, okay?” Chen Ran patted Luis’s hand, looking into his eyes and nodding.
“Are you sure?” “I’m sure.” “Alright, you’re the boss, you call the shots.” Luis helplessly let go of Chen Ran’s arm.
Crazy, everyone’s gone crazy!
“Mr.
Chen, I must admit, you have extraordinary boldness.
I am very honored to be able to work with you.” After recovering, Mendes had to see Chen Ran in a new light.
This Chinese man in his twenties was truly generous.
If this deal succeeded, his income could reach over ten million euros, making it the biggest payout he’d ever earned in his life.
He couldn’t refuse such a massive piece of cake.
“Excellent.
Then handling Ronaldo will be your responsibility, Mr.
Mendes.
Is that a problem?” “Rest assured, leave everything to me.”
Back at the hotel, Luis still hadn’t let it go.
“Chen, is this Ronaldo worth that much money?
He’s not the Brazilian one.” “Luis, believe me.
This Ronaldo is even more valuable than the Brazilian one.
We won’t lose money on this deal.” “Really?
Are you sure he’s more valuable than the Brazilian one?” “I am one hundred percent sure.” “Alright, even if this Ronaldo has great potential, maybe we could’ve gotten him for a lower price by negotiating slowly.
Our budget is only 30 million euros.” “No choice.
Too many clubs have their eyes on him.
We are just a Championship team; without ruthless moves, we have no chance of winning.”
Chen Ran knew very well that in the upcoming friendly between Man Utd and Sporting Lisbon, C.
Ronaldo’s performance would be exceptionally outstanding, prompting Man Utd to decide on the spot to bring him in for big money.
Therefore, he had to secure C.
Ronaldo before that match.
(END CHAPTER)