What ball king, call me ball god

One day in December.

Ten Hag met with Matt Judge in the Manchester United offices.

As soon as Matt saw Ten Hag, he immediately complained.

"Eric, the task you gave me is really severe! Do you know how difficult it is to find you a central defender-level player in the winter window? How difficult is it to find? Or is it 5000 million euros? It's too little! "

"Martial's transfer fee can be added to it, I have asked Ed."

"Really? But can Martial leave?"

"I haven't let him play for almost two months. If he wants to play in the European Cup, he will definitely leave. Didn't his agent let out some rumors recently? As far as I know, his transfer fee is estimated to be just under Around 1800 million euros.”

"The transfer fee I can mention is about 7000 million. Anyway, it will be in installments. If the price reaches this level, if you buy the main central defender in the winter window, you can finally have some candidates."

"Do you have someone to choose? After all, my price has also increased."

"Don't worry, we at Manchester United have our own player pool, which is updated every month. I'll just increase the estimated transfer fee to 7000 million. You said you want a main-level central defender, but in the Premier League, I I guess don’t even think about it, it’s too difficult.”

"I understand."

"Okay, let me tell you one by one now. The first is this -"

Matt Judge pushed the computer toward Ten Hag and pointed to a photo on the screen.

"Wait a minute, your first one is too unreliable, isn't it? Ake, that Ake from Bournemouth? Is he good enough for the main team? And he is also a Premier League player."

"He actually has quite a lot of potential, and I got news that Guardiola intends to sign him in this summer window."

"Oh—you can tell from this that he has potential?"

"Yes, Guardiola has taken a fancy to them all. It's normal to have potential."

"But he is not a candidate for the main central defender, forget it, let's go next."

"Okay. Next is this-"

"Upamecano? The one from Red Bull Leipzig, right? Wait, didn't they make it to the knockout rounds of the Champions League? Is this their main central defender? Are they willing to let him go?"

"He has a liquidated damages of 4250 million euros. So you just need to convince Upamecano, and now that he transfers to a new team in the winter window, he can continue to play in the Champions League, so you just need to convince him. .”

"What about his technical characteristics?"

"Here are his game highlights. Take a look."

Ten Hag looked at it seriously.

"To sum up, he makes more tackles, is more aggressive in steals, is good at passing the ball, and is a central defender. 4250 million euros is really not expensive, and I think it can be discussed."

"You are satisfied with this second player, why don't you continue to look at it?"

"Matt, listen to what you said, is there anything better than this in the future?"

"Yes, of course, I think this is very good -"

"Ruben Dias, Benfica's main central defender."

"Here's his game highlights."

Ten Hag looked at it seriously.

"I - this central defender is good. I really haven't studied the Portuguese Super League games much. Benfica doesn't seem to be playing in the Champions League this season. No wonder no one pays attention to such a good central defender."

"In fact, he has been noticed, and Manchester City is also planning to sign him!"

"Why is it Manchester City again? Wait, so what is his price?"

"Yes, his agent has said that his transfer fee is about 6000 million. It is about 2000 million higher than Upamecano. But there is one technical characteristic I can tell you. It is Lu Ben Dias is a defensive leader and centre-back. He is good at commanding the defense, so this is why he is indispensable at Benfica. His concentration is very high, which is not easy."

"That's what our scouts said?"

"Yes, Marin, our chief scout in Western Europe, reported to me that he is very optimistic about Ruben Dias and put his recommendation level at 93 points. This is almost the highest level of recommendation."

"The highest level of recommendation? What is Marin's previous recommendation score?"

"Well, De Bruyne was also recommended by him, as well as Courtois and Bernardo Silva. But -"

"Manchester United didn't even buy it, right? OK, since it is highly recommended by our chief scout, I will choose him."

"You are sure so soon?"

"Well, I'm very satisfied after seeing his highlights, and obviously our chief scout also strongly recommends him, which shows that he is really good. Then it's up to you to talk."

Back to the present, on January 1, the day after the match between Manchester United and Arsenal, Ten Hag did not return to Manchester, but stayed in London to open a club with Matt and Ed. Winter window transfer meeting.

Ten Hag couldn't help but complain when he walked to Manchester United's London office.

"Which head coach would have such trouble if he wants to meet the chairman."

When he arrived in the conference room, Ten Hahe still couldn't help but complain, but he turned around and looked at Matt's expression with a smile on his face.

Ten Hahe couldn't help but ask: "Matt, seeing that you are so happy, is there any progress?"

"Of course, the progress is pretty good."

"Oh, then I have to listen carefully."

With that said, Ten Hahe pulled out a chair and sat down, and Ed also said hello to Ten Hahe.

Matt turned on his computer screen and spoke.

"Benfica asked for 7000 million euros, but after serious and sincere negotiations, the final transfer fee was a fixed transfer fee of 6000 million euros plus a floating transfer fee of 1000 million euros."

"Wait a minute -" Ten Hag saw the smile on Matt's face and said strangely: "Didn't you say 6000 million euros would be enough at the beginning? Now you have this extra floating transfer fee?"

"Eric, this matter is very complicated, otherwise I wouldn't have informed you after almost 20 days!"

"How complicated?"

At this time, Matt Judge showed a proud smile on his face.

"At the beginning, when I went to talk to Benfica's sporting director, before I said who we were going to sign, he recommended a player to me, Grimaldo, Benfica's left back, and he also said this The left back is not expensive, you can get it for 1500 million euros. I also thought about what you said to me before, about asking for a left back. This Grimaldo, I watched his game, he is a very good rotation side. Defender. He is a full-back who is very strong in assists. He has played in Barcelona B team, so his skills are very good. His assist numbers have always been very good."

"Wait a minute, Matt, the player you're talking about sounds good, but if you sign him, wouldn't you have to sign another central defender? There's not enough money!"

With that said, Ten Hag looked at Ed.

Ed replied with a smile: "Just pay in installments, and then transfer the expenditure to this summer window. Our momentum this season is just right, we can't let it fall!"

As soon as Ten Hahe heard Ed's words, he immediately nodded and looked at Matt. "This player can be signed! But if we sign him, Benfica will lose two main players in the winter window. Is it okay? Will they agree?"

"Eric, you don't know something. This Grimaldo's contract expires this summer."

"Wait, the contract expires this summer. According to the regulations, we can talk to them about the free transfer contract now. Why spend money?"

Ten Hahe asked a little confused.

"Because Benfica is willing to sell Dias to us now, it is because we clearly lack a left-back player. The whole world knows this. After all, Ashley Young himself announced that he will leave in the winter window, so he is willing to sell Dias. The premise given to us is that we have to spend money to buy Grimaldo in this winter window. After all, other teams really won’t spend money to buy them when they sign for free.”

“Can’t Dias’ price be lowered?”

“他们的要求就是6000万加1000万浮动，然后1500万的格里马尔多。一共要7500万固定转会费加1000万的浮动，可以分期。”

"What about the players, what about the players' attitudes."

"Grimaldo is naturally willing. The team he talked about before was Valencia. When he went there, he competed with Gaya for the main spot. When he came to Manchester United, it was a wealthy team and we had enough games. And Dias I have some doubts.”

"Wait, after talking for a long time, you now say that the Lord has doubts?"

"He wants to talk to you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't know about this, but he is willing to talk to you, so I think there's something to be said for it. I think it's best for you to call him now! We'll just wait here."

"Row."

Ten Hag received Dias' phone number from Matt.

Called directly.

The phone rang a few times and then got through.

"Hello, I'm Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United."

There was silence for a moment, and then there was a sound.

"Hello, I'm Ruben Dias, a player from Benfica."

Ten Hahe burst into laughter, and then said seriously: "I heard from Matt that if you have something to say to me, just say what you want to say."

"I am the main player at Benfica. It is impossible for me to go to Manchester United to play as a substitute. In fact, after I finish this season at Benfica, I will not raise money. Moreover, joining in the winter window, it is quite difficult to integrate. I I believe you also know."

"I know, of course I know. But we are willing to spend so much money to sign you because our current defense line is very short. De Ligt is the main force in the central defender, and we need another position. If a capable central defender comes, I hope that person is you!"

Ten Hag didn't directly say that you are the main force when you come.

However, this kind of statement obviously does not satisfy Dias.

Dias continued: "I believe that you insist on buying a central defender in the winter window, and the reason why you still spend such a high price is because your current central defenders are not good. In fact, it is as simple as that. You signed me to play the main force. So. I don't quite understand what you just said."

Ten Hag was silent for a moment.

"Okay! Since you're so frank, I won't say any more polite words like there is no absolute main force in my lineup. I signed you just to be the main force, so you don't have to worry about this. Of course, if you If you are not in good condition, I will make you sit on the bench!"

"Haha, of course. Since you said so, coach, I understand. I am willing to go to Manchester United! Then I can discuss the contract with my agent."

Ten Hahe smiled, and through a glass, Ed and Matt, who were sitting in the conference room, looked at each other and laughed.

Then Ten Hacher walked in.

"Okay, he agreed, Matt, and can talk to his agent about the contract."

"By the way, Eric, what level are you going to give him in this contract?"

"It will definitely be much higher than when he was at Benfica. After all, Manchester United's salary level is very high. Let's just make it a little higher than Lindelof, and then give him an appearance bonus."

"Lindelof's salary is quite low."

"Based on this standard, if the initial offer is too high, what will happen if the contract is renewed later?"

Ed was satisfied upon hearing this and nodded to Matt Judge.

Then the three of them reached an agreement.

At the end, Ten Hag said: "The reinforcement task of this winter window is basically completed. When the time comes for the summer window, Grealish is the key to reinforcement. There is also the signing of the midfielder. It may come to the summer window." At that time, a few players will be sent away."

Ed took over.

"Is Matic a player you want to let go?"

"No, Matic is still qualified as a substitute in the defensive midfielder. When playing for some mid-to-lower teams, he is tough enough. At least he can be kept for one more season. And Fred is the kind of person who can sell money. Players who want to go, but do not meet my tactical requirements, can be sold if someone wants to buy them in the summer window."

Ed nodded and agreed to the matter.
-
January 1th was the day of the first leg of the League Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Manchester City.

Manchester City took the lead in announcing two pieces of news.

"Official: Martial moves to Ligue 1970 Monaco for a transfer fee of [-] million euros."

"Official: Ashley Young moves to Portuguese Super League Benfica on a free transfer."

The two transfer news announced in the morning.

In the afternoon, the Portuguese Super League Benfica also announced the official news.

"Official: Ruben Dias transfers to Manchester United for a transfer fee of 7000 million euros."

"Official: Grimaldo transfers to Manchester United for a transfer fee of 1500 million euros."

Two transfers shook the transfer market at once.

Obviously, Manchester United has never had such a large-scale signing in the winter window before.

At the same time, Manchester United fans also started asking frantically on social media.

"Who is Ruben Diaz? Why is he so expensive?"

Immediately, various media also followed up with reports.

The Times first reported: It is reported that the transfer fee for Ruben Dias is specifically a fixed transfer fee of 6000 million euros, plus a floating clause of 1000 million euros, including the best lineup and playing time.Ruben Dias was the best central defender in the Portuguese Super League last season. This season's steals, interceptions and other defensive statistics ranked first in the Portuguese Super League and ranked among the top three in Europe.

Manchester United fans took a look and saw that he was such a central defender!

6000 million doesn’t seem like much!After all, Chelsea just signed Wan-Bissaka for 5500 million euros a few days ago, and many people questioned that it was too expensive.

Compared to him, the deal looks good. (end of this chapter)