Free Web NovelChapter 531: Chapter 106: Poaching Wang Shuo: Do You Want to Become a Legend?
Without an extensive network and exceptional negotiation skills, you simply can’t make it in this business.
That’s why, when Chelsea wanted to poach Wang Shuo from Dortmund, they needed someone like Strus—an individual trusted by Dortmund—to make the approach.
By the same token, if Dortmund intended to sell Wang Shuo, they would also task Strus with searching for potential buyers and sounding out offers.
Only when the dust settled and both sides had reached a basic agreement would a formal offer be faxed over.
But by that stage, the rest was just a formality.
At least, Strus had never witnessed a transfer fall through once it reached the fax stage, with the clubs, the player, and the agent all in agreement.
When he arrived at Westfalen Stadium, he went straight to Watzke’s office. Zorc was there as well.
The three of them chatted and laughed like old friends behind closed doors.
It was during this conversation that Strus revealed Chelsea’s intentions.
Watzke and Zorc now knew.
For a star of Wang Shuo’s caliber, Strus wouldn’t get an answer on the spot.
Next, he would invite Wang Shuo’s agent, Thomas Essien, out for a meal to discuss the matter.
After Strus left, Watzke and Zorc went to report the situation to Chairman Laubal and the others.
"Chelsea wants to sign Wang Shuo in early January for 60 million euros!"
By now, it was no secret that Wang Shuo’s contract contained a 60-million-euro release clause.
As long as another club was willing to pay that price, Dortmund theoretically couldn’t refuse.
And in reality, there was no way Dortmund would refuse such a massive transfer fee.
million euros!
This would be the highest transfer fee in the history of the Bundesliga!
"What does Klopp have to say about this?" Chairman Laubal asked with concern.
"We haven’t asked him yet." Zorc shook his head and smiled. "But I think he’ll definitely refuse, especially during the winter break."
There simply wasn’t enough time now for Dortmund to find a striker who could replace Wang Shuo.
Lewandowski?
"Look at how he’s been treating Wang Shuo lately—like a priceless treasure. Besides, we have to admit, there’s a huge difference in the team with and without him. That’s why Klopp won’t agree to a winter sale."
Zorc’s words met with everyone’s approval.
Anyone who had seen Dortmund play knew how important Wang Shuo was to the Bumblebees.
"What are your thoughts?" Laubal asked, looking at Watzke.
The latter, with his finance background, was known for his careful calculations, and this time was no different.
"I don’t think it’s necessary to sell him now."
"How so?"
"With his current contract, and given his performance, we can still sell him next summer for 60 million euros. For us, it makes no difference."
"But for the team and our transfer strategy, a winter sale is too hasty. We would have no time to prepare."
"Right now, the team is in great shape. We have a solid lead in the league, and it’s starting to widen. I was even thinking that in the second half of the season, if we can build an even bigger lead in the league, couldn’t we invest more energy into the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal?"
"If we can achieve a breakthrough in our results, it would be a massive boost for us."
At this point, Watzke posed a rhetorical question. "With Wang Shuo’s annual salary, we’d spend an extra 4 million on his wages, plus some bonuses. But we’d have a much better chance of getting results. I think that’s a trade-off worth making!"
Selling Wang Shuo now was just too risky.
What if the team’s morale took a hit? For example, back when Mainz were winter champions, they sold Subotic.
As a result, their performance in the second half of the season dropped off noticeably.
If Wang Shuo hadn’t been there to hold them up, Mainz would have completely collapsed!
Dortmund’s situation was the same, perhaps even more serious.
After Watzke’s analysis, everyone knew where things stood.
The decision was a no-brainer.
"The tricky part for us now is what Wang Shuo himself thinks," Watzke said with some concern.
Chelsea had deep pockets, and they were a Premier League team. When they poached players from the Bundesliga, they almost never missed their target.
Look no further than Ballack. Bayern wanted to keep him, but didn’t he end up at Chelsea anyway?
At the end of the day, staying in the Bundesliga meant hitting a ceiling you couldn’t break through.
"I’ll meet with Thomas Essien, communicate our position, and try to persuade Wang Shuo to stay," Zorc proposed.
"Honestly, from a player development standpoint, moving from the Bundesliga to the Premier League mid-season is also quite risky."
One small misstep, a poor run of form after the transfer, and he could face his own Waterloo. It just wouldn’t be worth the risk.
Especially to the Premier League.
You have to remember, the Premier League doesn’t have a winter break. He’d have to start playing matches right away.
"Then let’s try to persuade the player from that angle," Laubal agreed with a nod.
"I also think our team has a real chance in the second half of the season. We can make a run not just in the Bundesliga, but in the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League as well. The further we go, the better, especially in the Champions League."
The further you advance in the Champions League, the greater the financial rewards.
Whether it’s prize money, broadcast fees, or even match-day ticket sales, the revenue from the Champions League is much higher than from the Bundesliga.
"I’ll get right on it."
Zorc stood up at once.
...
「The afternoon of November 27, Westfalen Stadium, Dortmund.」
