After venting his anger back in the office, Bates gradually calmed down.
Based on his understanding of Li Shiguang, he knew that if Li Shiguang made another offer, he would definitely insist on not releasing the person unless the penalty for breach of contract was triggered.
If I continue to entangle with him, Ferguson might very well beat me to it.
In that case, it would be better to first consider how to raise the money, then directly trigger the penalty for breach of contract and bring the player to West Bromwich Albion.
Thinking about this...
Bates sat down and lit another cigar, starting to figure out how to scrape together the rest of the money.
Selling players is definitely necessary. The poor performance in the second half of the season can be attributed not only to Howard taking the blame, but also to the weakness of West Brom's attack and midfield.
In many matches, a loss would be by 4 or 5 goals, while a win would only be by 1 or 2 goals.
This has resulted in West Bromwich Albion having one foot out of the relegation zone, but their goal difference is -34, ranking second to last in the entire Premier League.
Bates picked up his pen and did some calculations. He figured that if he was lucky, he could sell the players he planned to sell for around 9 million euros. The freed-up spots could then be used for youth academy players, which would save him a lot of transfer fees and wages next season.
In his email, Li Shiguang clearly informed West Bromwich Albion that Tevez's release clause was 29 million euros, meaning he was still 11 million euros short of buying him at The Hawthorns.
With that in mind, Bates frowned even more deeply, and kept putting the cigar in his mouth into his mouth.
5 minutes later.
Bates put down his cigar, and his expression relaxed, but he looked more serious than before.
Just like Li Shiguang made quick money from Howard, Bates was determined to make a quick buck from Tevez as well.
So he made a very important decision, which was also a huge gamble.
As the largest shareholder of West Bromwich Albion, Bates now owns 23% of the club, worth approximately €12 million.
He plans to use this portion of the shares to make a short-term mortgage loan!
Once the loan is approved, we'll have enough funds to buy Tevez.
Before that, he needed to reassure Li Shiguang and prevent him from selling Tevis too early. He then turned on his computer and prepared to personally draft an email to Li Shiguang expressing his desire to purchase the product.
Bates believed that although he had some unpleasantness with Li Shiguang before, football was also a business, and if he offered a high enough price, there was no reason for Li Shiguang not to make more money!
····
At 7 p.m., the Sunderland Stadium of Light, which can hold more than 60,000 people, was already packed.
"Hey Emmanuel, you're doing great today, your aim is pretty good."
"Good message, Wesley!"
"Yes, that's right, James. When you're fighting for the ball, you have to make good use of your body."
The Sunderland vs. Leeds United match is about to kick off in less than half an hour.
The warm-up has just ended, and the players are returning to the locker room one after another.
At the entrance to the players' tunnel, Li Shiguang was giving each player a high-five and encouraging them with words.
Then he followed them back to the locker room.
Li Shiguang stood in the center of the locker room, watching the players change into their jerseys.
Today was different from usual before the match.
He didn't fill the whiteboard with tactical diagrams, nor did he signal the players to listen to his opening speech.
Instead, they quietly watched as the players prepared for the match.
After everyone was ready, Li Shiguang clapped his hands and then placed his right palm down in front of him.
While everyone was still looking at their coach with confusion, captain Milner walked over and placed his hand on Li Shiguang's right hand.
Then each player came over.
A moment later, Li Shiguang shouted from inside the locker room: "Leeds United!"
The players followed him, shouting together, "Champions!"
Twenty minutes later, both teams entered the Stadium of Light under the guidance of the referee. As the players entered the stadium, the atmosphere reached its first climax, with Sunderland fans putting considerable pressure on the away team.
When the commentators introduced the starting lineup, the home team players received enthusiastic cheers, while the away team, Leeds United, were met with boos.
Looking at the players who had already set up their formations on the field.
Standing on the sidelines, Li Shiguang, who had been calm before the game, kept encouraging the players loudly.
At the same time, I was filled with mixed emotions.
Ten months ago, he was just an ordinary football fan in his future life. Even the Championship, a second-tier league, was something that was out of his reach, let alone leading a team to play. He could only watch from the stands.
Little did he know that a hangover would completely change the course of his life.
Not only did he acquire the system, but 10 months later he also personally led a team to compete for the league championship.
This filled Li Shiguang with immense excitement.
Although I had the help of the system, it was impossible to say that I wasn't nervous at all.
Every football fan has probably dreamed of one day standing on a proper stadium, amidst the cheers of tens of thousands of spectators, and lifting a championship trophy.
Li Shiguang is lucky; he has this opportunity, and there is a high probability that tonight he will lift his first trophy, whether as a club manager or Leeds United manager!
This made even the usually composed Li Shiguang secretly excited and looking forward to it.
But he was also telling himself that today was just the beginning of his long journey after being reborn into this era.
After today, in addition to striving to build the number one black club in Europe, he also wants to lead Leeds United back to the top of the Premier League, lead Leeds United to win the Champions League, and lead Leeds United to win everything they can win!
A voice inside Li Shiguang was shouting: "Leeds United and I will both become legends in world football!"
"Beep~~~~~~~~"
The referee's whistle cut through the air like a sharp sword, piercing and shrill.
This brought Li Shiguang's thoughts back to the football field.
Adebayor passed the ball back to Milner.
The penultimate round of the 2004-2005 Championship season: Sunderland vs. Leeds United, a title-deciding match.
The battle has officially begun!
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