664 That’s I

Twain had just stepped foot in Nottingham when Real Madrid's second offer came.

Sixty-five million euros!

Real Madrid was only willing to offer a maximum of 75 million euros for Cristiano Ronaldo. At first, there were media outlets in Nottingham that ridiculed Real Madrid as using Ribéry to substitute for Ronaldo. Since they were so disrespectful to the Forest team's player, Ribéry was not expected to receive good treatment when he went there. Now Real Madrid had shown that they were not looking for Cristiano Ronaldo's replacement, but another star player of the same class as Ronaldo.

If Twain nodded his assent, it would be a transfer with the highest monetary value he had made since he took office. But would he agree?

He would not.

Sixty-five million euros was very attractive, but Twain was more obstinate than Real Madrid thought. He thought Real Madrid was showing off its wealth and telling Twain that there was no one in the world that Real Madrid could not buy!

Consequently, Twain thought he was insulted and threatened, and was determined not to yield!

You think there's no one you can't buy? Well, I'll show you the first person!

Allan flew to China to sign letters of intent to cooperate with the relevant institutions, so now all matters regarding the club's transfers were up to Twain. He could rightly reject Real Madrid's offer.

"I'll only let Ribéry go when you show me 150 million euros. Also, we don't accept installments; only cash."

Twain's words were resounding and powerful. Ribéry had a new nickname "Mr. 150 million euros."

Real Madrid would not pay that much unless the IQ of the top brass collectively reversed to when they were just born.

However, Real Madrid had their own ways. They contacted Ribéry's agent, Heiderscheid, in the hope that he would put pressure on Nottingham Forest.

※※※

The team had already started to resume training and all the players who did not have any Olympic or UEFA European Championship assignments had returned. Whether or not they would remain on the team in the coming months, they were still Tony Twain's men for now.

Because not everyone was there yet, the training plan Dunn had arranged for the team was focused on the recovery of stamina, and he did not carry out any tactical training. The club's focus was still on the transfer market.

Ribéry had become one of Nottingham Forest's most high-profile transfers of the summer and everyone was watching the latest developments. Some did not want Ribéry to go, and some people also thought if his departure could bring a large sum of money for the club, then he should be allowed to leave. There were also some people who angrily accused Ribéry of being too greedy — the news of the 150,000 weekly salary had been exposed by the media. Other people also felt that a traitor like Ribéry should not stay at Nottingham Forest even if he begged to.

Rumors swirled around. At the heart of the vortex of rumors, Ribéry remained silent and refused interviews. He did not make any statement and continued his vacation in Mallorca, waiting for his time to return to the team.

After the half-day training ended, Twain received a phone call from Bruno Heiderscheid. He smiled when he saw the name.

"Hello, Mr. Heiderscheid. To what do I owe the pleasure this time?" He deliberately made his voice sound happy.

"Mr. Tony Twain. I think we should sit down and have a proper discussion." Heiderscheid's voice was less relaxed, and even lost the calm at their last meeting.

"What's there to talk about? A weekly salary of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds? Oh, I'm sorry, we are a small club and really can not offer you satisfactory conditions. However, we may be small, but we are always developing. Let's do it like this, when Ribéry's contract expires in six months, we'll talk again. Maybe the club can meet your one hundred and fifty weekly salary requirements then." Twain's tone was odd. He deliberately provoked Heiderscheid to pay back double the insult suffered.

Twain wanted to go home, but now, he sat in the chair, put his feet up on his desk, adopted an amusing stance, and was ready to waste the agent's precious time.

"Mr. Twain, you do not have the mentality you should have in a negotiation." Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.novelhall.com for visiting.

"Ha!" Twain could not help but laugh. "Those words sound familiar. You plagiarized my lines. Do I have to sue you for infringement?"

Heiderscheid did not know whether to laugh or cry. He thoroughly experienced the level of cutting nature this man had, but he came to facilitate Ribéry's transfer and not to quarrel with Twain, so he suppressed his anger and tried to sound calm.

"Of course, I want Ribéry to stay at the Forest team, but shouldn't the Forest team show any indication? So far, I haven't seen any real action from Nottingham Forest to show my player and the outside world that you want to keep Franck Ribéry."

"How would you know about our business? Rest assured that a new contract will soon be faxed to you and Ribéry. Of course, it's definitely not a one hundred and fifty thousand weekly salary. We really can't offer this sum, Mr. Heiderscheid. Nottingham Forest is so poor that I, as a manager, almost buy someone out of my own pocket." Twain talked as if he was miserable himself but Heiderscheid was unmoved. Only a fool would believe his words.

"But your conditions will not satisfy my player."

"It's more like we can't satisfy you, Mr. Greedy?" Twain smirked. "To be honest, Franck told me he doesn't want to leave Nottingham Forest, and I think he sincerely thinks so. But you tell me you also don't want Franck to leave Nottingham Forest and that's a lie. I'm very clear about what an agent does. And I'm even more f**king aware of what you, as his agent, do!"

Without waiting for Heiderscheid to refute, Twain vented, "you draw ten percent commission from Ribéry's weekly salary and get a commission every time he signs advertising endorsement deals and a new contract. If he doesn't get a high salary at Nottingham Forest, your income will be reduced, and you won't be able to get the signing fee if there's no transfer. Only a transfer to a big club like Real Madrid can give Ribéry a higher profile, fame, and better commercial contracts. A higher weekly salary means more commission for you. You think of Ribéry as a cash cow, but don't think about the lifespan of his playing! I'm afraid one day when you realize that Ribéry can't bring you a higher income, you'll leave to find the next fool, right? Mr. Bruno Heiderscheid aka Mr. Ten Percent?"

"I..."

"Shut up! I don't want him to leave, and I can't meet the higher salary requirements. But I know this better than you, fool, what is the most important and fundamental thing for a professional footballer? Without honor, a moron can give you a weekly salary of one hundred and fifty thousand. Once he leaves Nottingham Forest, Ribéry would never receive a higher honor. Those who quickly become famous and then transfer to the powerhouse teams quickly lose themselves. Then their prices fall instead of rise. There are plenty of examples where the players' form decline, and no team will ask for a price any longer. If you're really looking out for Franck as you say, you keep him away from Real Madrid! There's no paradise for him there. It's just a hotbed of a parasite like you!"

"Mr. Twain, I think..."

"What do you think? I'll tell you; my stance is that of the Nottingham Forest Football Club. Ribéry is not for sale. Even if Real Madrid offered one hundred and fifty million euros like a fool, I won't sell! His contract is still three years out. If you want to him to leave, you can refuse to negotiate a new contract with us in two and a half years!"

"Then you won't get a single euro."

"I'm fine with that!" Twain's rough tone rendered Heiderscheid speechless.

"Mr. Twain, I understand that you are biased against me, but business is business and we are now negotiating for Ribéry's future. Your attitude is not one a businessman should have."

"I'm the f**king manager of the team. Which idiot told you I was a businessman?" Twain had never seen such a shameless and despicable person like Heiderscheid. Billy Woox was a model citizen compared to him.

"Besides, I know why you were thick-skinned enough to call me. Real Madrid's idiot president must have asked you to put pressure on us, right? I know more about Real Madrid's moves than you do. Just tell them that I, Tony Twain, am not to be trifled with. You want to buy my man? No way! I will tell you, Ribéry's contract expires in three years. There is no more discussion before it expires!"

Twain laughed after he hung up. He had vented the resentment bottled up in his chest at last. He believed that Heiderscheid was shaking.

※※※

The crux of Ribéry's transfer incident was whether or not Ribéry was willing to come out in person to put pressure on the club, so that Real Madrid's next steps could be carried out.

Ronaldo recently declared that he wanted to go to Real Madrid and that he felt like a slave. Although the words would cause him a lot of trouble, it would also help him with his transfer. After a showdown between the player and the club, it proved that his heart was no longer with the team. Real Madrid could aim at that point to begin attack. The opposing club would most likely be under pressure from the many parties and agree to the player's transfer.

There were always be the exceptions. Real Madrid's "universal formula" did not mean that it would work with any opponent. They hit a wall with the steely Ferguson. The old man was furious after he heard Ronaldo's remarks. He claimed that he would rather put Ronaldo on the bench than sell him to the shameless Real Madrid.

The remark caused Ferguson a lot of trouble, but he sent a very clear message to Real Madrid — my attitude is unyielding, Manchester United's attitude is tough, and we are determined not to sell Ronaldo to you!

Real Madrid was out of moves. Unless they accepted Manchester United's offer and raised their bid to the point where Manchester United is satisfied, only then it would be possible to negotiate a personal contract with Ronaldo. Otherwise, no matter how Ronaldo stirred things up, they had to first get past the Manchester United Football Club and also Ferguson.

Real Madrid fared even worse with Ribéry's case. They did not even manage to get Ribéry to come forward and take a stance.

Real Madrid wanted Heiderscheid to put pressure on Ribéry and then for Ribéry to put pressure on Twain. For example, he should have a direct showdown: "I want to go to Real Madrid, and I don't want to stay with Nottingham Forest."

But...

※※※

"Franck!" Heiderscheid's voice sounded a little pathetic on the phone.. "I need you to come out and take a stance."

"What stance?" Ribéry sat on a white beach chair and sunbathed. The picturesque seaside relaxed him, and sometimes he forgot the swirling rumors of a tumultuous transfer and enjoyed his time with ease.

His wife, Wahiba Belhami, took his children back to her hometown in Algeria. The reason he did not take his whole family on vacation was because Ribéry thought it was not a real vacation at all, but to avoid the limelight. He did not want to involve his beautiful wife and lovely children, but the rare opportunity had allowed him to admire the sexy and open Spanish beauties.

"What do you think? The whole world is now waiting for you to come forward and make a statement so that all the noise will be gone. Then you and I can have a nice summer!"

"I saw the new contract that boss had faxed, Bruno." Ribéry changed the subject.

"Oh?"

"I don't think a 120,000 weekly salary is too low." Ribéry continued to admire the naked bodies wandering back and forth.

"Hey..."

"I don't think it's a good time to transfer to Real Madrid."

"Franck, when do you think it's a good time? After three seasons? I don't know if Real Madrid wants you or not! You've got enough honors now, so the current transfer is when you're at your highest value, and I can get the best of anything for you. I know what Twain said to you, but he's lying to you! You can't be a professional player your entire life, Franck. Can honor make you not worry about your living for a lifetime and give your children the best life possible? Those are just the false words that managers use to stir up your sentiments and excuses to make you sacrifice for them! Only money is real. But there aren't many clubs in the world willing to recompense the players that commensurate with their contributions. Instead they're always making excuses to squeeze your income. Businessmen are all the same. Even if he's your chief, he's still a manager. Don't forget which side he's on. He represents the club! He talks of loyalty, honor, and so on. Those are all lies for you to listen to! When he says that to you, you just ask him, 'can honor make you live a good life?' I'd bet you he'll be speechless!" Sensing that Ribéry was wavering, Heiderscheid became anxious. The plan he had made all summer would not absolutely fail. "Franck, you know more about this than I do. You experienced poverty. You know how important money is, right?"

"I... Bruno, I think you have a good point. Honor and loyalty really can't make me any more money, and it doesn't let me live a better life. A professional player has to go after the money. But."

Bruno's chest tightened.

"But I'm pretty happy with a 120,000 weekly salary."

"Only a fool would be unhappy with more money!"

"Of course, I'm not a fool, but I know my team's situation. If the price is too high, the boss really can't get the money."

"Then transfer."

"Do you want me to be a traitor, Bruno?" Ribéry laughed. "But I'm not ready for betrayal yet. That's it, I'm going to sign that contract. Tomorrow I'll end this... hiding on vacation and fly back to Nottingham."

"Hey, Franck!"

"What's the matter?"

"Real Madrid..."

"Nottingham Forest's attitude is tough, and they're still fantasizing about me going to Bernabéu with a transfer deal? So what if I make a public statement? I'm telling you, Bruno, I understand my boss. I know what it would be like if I really did it. You think the boss will let me go because I want to go? Don't be naive, Bruno! Real Madrid's approach is to put themselves out of the way and use the players as guns. For me to step out as a target while they trade behind the scenes. What if the deal doesn't go through? How am I going to stay at Nottingham Forest after falling out with my boss? Remember Anelka? Do you want me to sit on the bench for a season as my value slowly slips? You can tell Real Madrid that I don't want to gamble with myself. Either they make an offer until the Nottingham Forest Football Club is satisfied, or I will renew my contract with Forest and stay in Nottingham. The move that they are used to do, it won't work in my case!"

Hanging up the phone, Ribéry stared at the distant horizon, lost in contemplation. He lost the mood to continue to his appreciation of the beautiful women.

To be able to play for a world-famous powerhouse club like Real Madrid was exactly what he wanted. Spain had beautiful sunshine and delicious cuisine, a thousand times better than the United Kingdom. There would also be more attention at the Bernabéu, and the salary would be more than Nottingham Forest's. The star-studded teammates, weekly events, glitzy lifestyle...

However, he also knew that it was almost impossible for Real Madrid to buy him with the boss around. To let him come forward for himself? That would be disastrous. He did not want to be the gun in someone else's hand. Cristiano Ronaldo was so stupid. What if Real Madrid failed to deliver on their promise to bring him to Bernabéu, then who was the victim? The players themselves!

I can't do such a risky thing. As long as I don't leave Nottingham Forest, the boss is our king.

Those who contradict the king all end up with terrible deaths.