Football: Starting with the Crescent Moon Slash

Chapter 112 Goodbye Madrid

This was Jiang Yan's fourth visit to Florentino's office.

Florentino sat behind his large desk, dressed in a sharp suit, his expression solemn. On his desk were the Real Madrid crest and a group photo taken after their recent championship victory.

He looked up at Jiang Yan, his face showing no remorse, but rather a condescending scrutiny, as if he were looking at a product under his command that had become arrogant after achieving some success.

"You've arrived," Florentino said calmly. "Have you decided where to go for your upcoming vacation?"

Jiang Yan ignored his words and looked directly at Florentino: "Mr. Chairman, what brings you to me?"

Florentino frowned slightly; he was clearly not used to the way the young players on the team spoke to him.

But being a legendary businessman who had experienced countless business battles, big and small, he quickly put on a smiling face again.

"Given your outstanding performance in the Champions League final, we've called you here today in the hope of offering you a new contract with a significant increase in your salary and playing time."

Florentino pushed the already prepared contract on the table toward Jiang Yan.

In Florentino's view, no player could refuse such tempting terms as the contract amount and guaranteed playing time.

However, Jiang Yan only glanced at the contents of the contract before saying, "I won the competition against Ronaldo. Will Real Madrid build around me and help me win the Ballon d'Or?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the huge office fell into a deathly silence, as if even the air had frozen.

Florentino's smile froze instantly, all the friendliness in his eyes vanished, replaced by the shrewdness and indifference of a businessman. He was silent for a few seconds: "Jiang, you are still young, you shouldn't be in such a hurry to succeed."

Florentino's tone was distant, directly avoiding Jiang Yan's question.

"Real Madrid will provide you with ample room to grow, and the Ballon d'Or will come naturally. You just need to play well, and the club will not treat you unfairly."

Such obvious polite words.

Ha ha.

Jiang Yan believes that his performance this season at Real Madrid is absolutely Ballon d'Or caliber, but Florentino actually said that he was too eager for quick success?

This clearly shows they don't want Jiang Yan to become Real Madrid's star player!

"Your Majesty, one day you will pay the price for your arrogance. My team has already submitted a transfer request—"

The next time we meet, we'll be enemies.

Jiang Yan ignored Florentino's attempts to persuade him to stay and left the office directly.

After Jiang Yan left, Florentino looked at the contract on the table, then at Jiang Yan in the championship photo.

For the first time, this shrewd businessman began to doubt his own decisions.

After entrusting all transfer matters to a professional team, Jiang Yan began a vacation that lasted for several months.

On June 15th, a bombshell announcement shook the entire football world.

Multiple authoritative media outlets simultaneously broke the headline news:

Real Madrid's Chinese star Jiang Yan has officially submitted a transfer request, confirming his departure from the Bernabéu this summer.

The news caused an uproar in the Spanish media.

#Jiang Yan leaves the team!

Real Madrid loses its new king!

#Golden Ballon d'Or favorite refuses to renew contract!

#Benitez's dismissal due to illness became the trigger!

A series of related terms overwhelmingly topped the trending lists on social media platforms around the world.

The fans went wild!

Their favorite transfer soap opera is about to begin.

The next day.

Real Madrid fans spontaneously gathered outside the Bernabéu Stadium. Some were puzzled, some were saddened, and some held up Jiang Yan's jersey, unwilling to believe that the absolute core of this season's double champions was really leaving.

Elite clubs from La Liga, the Premier League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga acted almost simultaneously, and the agent team's phones were ringing off the hook, with offers pouring in like snowflakes.

It should be noted that Jiang Yan's contract stipulated that the termination fee was only a mere 50 million.

Buying a cornerstone player for 50 million is definitely a great deal.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, ​​Juventus, AC Milan —

Each club offered astronomical salaries and a commitment to having an absolute core player, enough to shake the football world.

Media outlets are speculating: "Will Jiang Yan join the Premier League and begin a new legend?"

"Will he go to Bayern Munich and directly compete with Real Madrid in the Champions League?"

Will Barcelona replicate Figo's move and spare no expense to sign Real Madrid's star player?

Amidst the speculation and frenzy surrounding the event, Jiang Yan, wearing a straw hat and sunglasses, was lying on a beach in Sanya.

"Isn't this all there is to life—"

In front of him was Qin Wanyu, who had just changed into her swimsuit.

Looking at Qin Wanyu in her sexy bikini, Jiang Yan couldn't help but silently admire her, "She really has a wonderful bust."

She walked over and leaned down, whispering in Jiang Yan's ear, "Little brother, could you help me apply some sunscreen?"

"With pleasure!"

"Are you really not going back?"

Jiang Yan nodded: "Yes, I've already discussed it with my teammates beforehand. It's a pity, but all good things must come to an end."

"The whole of Spain is talking about you right now, aren't you going to respond?"

"A response?" Jiang Yan shrugged, opened his phone, and saw that the football forum was full of discussions about where Jiang Yan would go next. "The fans are still excited. If I respond so quickly, wouldn't I spoil their fun?"

Hearing this, Qin Wanyu could only shake her head helplessly: "After all, there's a professional team behind you—do as you please."

""

In the dead of night back home, Qin Wanyu was fast asleep, but Jiang Yan was wide awake due to jet lag.

Just then, a phone call came in.

"Boss, we have several proposals from potential clients that we would like you to listen to."

Just in time!

Since I can't sleep anyway, I might as well listen to what kind of conditions these so-called European tycoons can offer Jiang Yan.

After receiving instructions, the agent on the other end of the phone began to explain the conditions offered to Jiang Yan by various teams.

First up is Barcelona in La Liga.

-

Head coach Enrique said: "Jiang Yan has come to Barcelona and is the second Messi. When Messi retires, he will take over the number 10 jersey left by Messi."

At the same time, whether it's a midfielder or a false nine, as long as Jiang Yan wants to play, he can find a way.

Jiang Yan nodded: "Enrique has put in a lot of effort, but unfortunately I don't have the habit of defecting. Next!"

Next up is Mourinho of Manchester United.

"Jiang, you know I'm special, and you're special too. If we join forces, we can definitely build a dynasty team!"

"I'll give you some starting opportunities, and once you've adapted to the Premier League, I'll make you a permanent fixture in the core position!"

Mourinho has a strong preference for "dark and tough" players when choosing midfielders. Although their skin color doesn't match, Jiang Yan's defensive toughness is what Mourinho values ​​most.

Jiang Yan did not agree immediately, but decided to listen to the conditions of the other teams before making a decision.

"And then there's Guardiola, who's about to take over at Manchester City. He's invited you to join him at Manchester City and promised you a key role in the future."

The central position was indeed very attractive to Jiang Yan, but considering Guardiola's favorite possession-based tactic, he gave up on it.

What's the point of just passing the ball around in your own half every time?

This reminded him of Atlético Madrid's "park the bus" tactic, where fans could predict Simeone's next move in just zero seconds after the team took a 1-0 lead.

The agent then sent Jiang Yan offers and terms from other top clubs, namely Juventus in Serie A, Arsenal in the Premier League, and Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

But Jiang Yan always felt that it was all lacking.

"Understood, boss. We will continue negotiations with other clubs."

After hanging up the phone with his agent, Jiang Yan slumped weakly onto the hotel sofa.

Outside the window was the tranquil seascape of Sanya in the dead of night, with the gentle sound of the waves, but he felt no sense of peace.

Manchester United's gradual rise to prominence, Manchester City's possession-based style, Barcelona's controversial "traitorous move," and Juventus's conservative and pragmatic approach—

No matter how tempting the conditions offered by these wealthy families are, there's always something between them and something else.

No head coach has trusted him as unconditionally and without reservation from the very beginning as Benitez.

No club dared to declare that if you came, you would be the absolute core player.

Just as he sighed and was about to put down his phone and go back to sleep, an unfamiliar number called.

"Who would it be at this time?"

Jiang Yan answered the phone with a lot of doubt. On the other end of the line, a man was greeting him in Spanish.

"Hello, Jiang — I am Klopp, Jürgen Klopp."