Free Web NovelAs soon as I laid out the documents to scrutinize the club’s finances, tension rippled across their faces.
The first to speak was Neil Taylor, the club president who essentially managed its daily operations.
“Our club reached the Champions League semifinals last year. Thanks to that, many excellent players are inquiring about joining us.”
I lifted my eyes from the papers and fixed them on him.
Unfazed, he kept babbling on about Leeds’ rosy future.
“Our strength is that our squad is young. With youth comes potential for excellent results in competition. And beyond that...”
I let him ramble just to see how far he would go.
Eventually, realizing no one was responding, he faltered into silence.
Then, with a puzzled face, he asked,
“Don’t you have any questions?”
“I said let’s talk about finances, but all I’ve heard is club boasting.”
I dropped more documents onto the table.
“I’ve heard enough about Leeds’ past, future, and vision. But the most important part—the money—is missing.”
“Ahem...”
“The past is fine, the vision is fine, everything sounds fine. But don’t you lack money? The club’s debts—”
The moment I mentioned debt, Neil hastily cut me off.
“That will be resolved once we qualify for the Champions League again...”
I raised my hand to stop him. If left unchecked, he’d spew nonsense forever.
“Wait. Did you just say you can qualify again?”
“Of course.”
“How? You’ve already hiked player wages to match their demands, which blew the deficit wide open. That means you can’t sign new players, and you’ve sold off your good ones to other clubs. And yet you’re telling me you’ll make it back to the Champions League?”
My sharp questioning made him bite his lip before trying to argue again.
“We have many young talents from our youth system. If they reach their potential—”
“That’s the problem. You’re paying those youngsters wages on par with veteran players. Wouldn’t it make more sense to pay proven talent than gamble on untested kids?”
I slid a document across the table. He didn’t even look at it before asking,
“What is this?”
“It’s a wage comparison between the young players you were bragging about and the salaries of top-tier players across the Premier League and Europe’s big four leagues.”
Neil finally scanned the document, and his face went pale.
“H-how did you get these numbers? Player wages aren’t even publicly disclosed...”
The sheet I had prepared listed exact salaries for Leeds players and benchmarked them against stars from other clubs.
“Is that really what matters? The real issue is the absurd sums you’re paying. I don’t mind paying big money for proven talent. But for untested players? It’s ridiculous.”
“...”
“Even though I haven’t bought this club yet, let me be blunt. Within five years—two, at the earliest—this club will collapse into the second division. And you’re talking about the Champions League? Impossible.”
“What did you just say!”
Neil snapped, raising his voice. But I didn’t stop. I pushed another set of documents across to him.
“It’s not just the players. Even staff are overpaid. At this rate, bankruptcy in two to five years is inevitable.”
“Aren’t you here to buy our club?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why are you only speaking negatively? Aren’t you considering this because you like Leeds? For the sake of Leeds?”
Does he take me for a fool? I hid my scorn and answered evenly.
“I’m an investor. So is James here. And no investor would pour money into a club run this recklessly.”
“Then that’s the end of it. We cannot sell to people who only see Leeds as an investment tool.”
Neil declared firmly, then turned to the chairman.
“Chairman. We cannot hand our club over to men like this.” freewebnovёl.ƈom
“Hm...”
Peter, the chairman and owner, sighed and stroked his chin.
I studied both of their faces carefully, weighing whether Peter was complicit in the siphoning of funds or just ignorant.
“You’re hitting hard right from the start,” Han Kyungyeong murmured in Korean, just low enough for me to hear.
“I’ve listened to enough crap. They started with the sales pitch.”
“Handle it your way. I’ll just sit back and watch.”
Hearing us speak in a tongue he didn’t understand, Neil’s face stiffened.
“Is the purpose of this acquisition truly investment?”
At last, Peter spoke.
“You could call it investment. But my goal is to make Leeds not just an English powerhouse but the greatest club in the world. If we achieve that, money will naturally follow.”
“Oh...”
For the first time, Peter looked intrigued.
“Chairman!”
Neil tried to interject, but Peter ignored him.
“The greatest club in the world... a dreamlike ambition. You sound confident?”
“Confident... You said earlier you’d heard James’ reputation?”
Peter nodded faintly, recalling Han’s legendary investment record on Wall Street.
“After reviewing every club in the Premier League, the second, even the third divisions, Leeds was the first we chose. I don’t start anything unless I’m confident.”
“Is that true?” Peter asked, glancing at Han.
Han simply shrugged, pointed at me, and said firmly,
“As I said before, his decision is my decision. If Charlie says he needs money, I’ll provide however much it takes.”
“Your trust runs deep.”
Peter sounded impressed. Han only smiled, staying silent.
“Then tell me, how exactly would you run the club? Leeds is dear to me. It’s more than a club—it’s like my child.”
His expression was sincere. He truly loved this club.
‘So he really doesn’t know.’
I looked him in the eye, then revealed part of my plan.
“I’d rebuild the squad from scratch and overhaul the very structure of the club. Most of the current staff wouldn’t remain.”
“Hmm...”
Peter looked troubled. Neil, however, scowled openly.
“You see? Worthless proposal. With this year’s performance, we can qualify for the Champions League again. Then the finances will recover. Chairman, just take out another loan.”
“I can’t borrow anymore.”
“Then use your personal wealth—”
“Sigh... Do you think I’d be considering selling if I ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) could still manage? I’m at my limit.”
The exchange was laughable. Neil was treating Peter—who clearly cared deeply about the club—like a mere wallet.
“Mr. Chairman?”
I cut in.
“I’d like to dismiss the others and speak with you privately.”
“Hmm...”
“No!” Neil barked.
“In the end, the decision lies with you, Chairman. It’s simply a matter of whether you sell me your shares or not.”
Peter sighed, torn.
“This isn’t just my club. It belongs to the executives, the staff, and the fans who come to see us.”
Clearly, he was naïve. If that wasn’t genuine, he belonged on a movie set, not in football.
“Precisely why I’d like to speak seriously with you.”
“But...”
“Chairman, don’t! Don’t fall for his smooth talk.”
“Taylor, you...”
Neil was desperate. He knew exclusion meant his schemes would unravel.
Han and I exchanged a subtle glance.
‘It’s him, isn’t it?’
‘Yeah. He’s the one skimming.’
No words were needed. After so many years, one look was enough.
Meanwhile, Neil kept pleading.
“A generous owner like you is perfect for Leeds. Just one or two more years, and the finances will improve. Please reconsider—”
“Fine. I’ll at least hear him out. Everyone, leave us.”
“Chairman!”
“Out. I only said I’d hear him out. Why so against a sale? Maybe there’s a better owner out there.”
“There is no better owner than you.”
“Enough. Leave.”
Peter’s tone brooked no argument. He gestured toward the door.
Reluctantly, Neil rose, glaring at me and Han before storming out with the other executives.
The door slammed loudly behind him.
Peter quickly excused it.
“Forgive him. He’s always like that. He isn’t a bad man. He’s managed our finances and squeezed results from nothing.”
I almost laughed. Was Peter a good-hearted man, or just a fool?
“So, why dismiss everyone? Even as chairman, I can’t decide alone. I don’t own all the shares. They’re scattered.”
He was right—most European clubs had complicated ownership structures.
Fortunately, at Leeds, the shares were concentrated in just a few hands. Peter himself held over 70%.
Until Abramovich bought Chelsea, most investors weren’t chasing profit but preservation. But once the nouveau riche started pouring money into football, perception shifted.
They had money but lacked honor. Buying a famous club gave them prestige.
That, in turn, inflated player values sky-high.
And soon, the arms race of new-money billionaires would begin in earnest.
“I understand. But if I acquire your shares, the rest will fall in line. They respect you and would follow your decision.”
Most shareholders knew Peter was dedicated to Leeds’ survival.
He still looked torn. So I pulled several documents and photos from my case and slid them across the table.
“Please take a look. Then we’ll talk.”
“What is this?”
“A breakdown of why a great club like Leeds has fallen into such financial ruin.”
His eyes flicked between me and the documents, then widened in shock.
He hurriedly grabbed them and began to read.
