Mendes was sizing up Li Shiguang.
Li Shiguang was also sizing up Mendes.
Li Shiguang had heard countless stories about this agent who claimed to control the European football transfer market, both before and after his rebirth.
However, Li Shiguang also knew that while his appearance accelerated Raiola's growth, it also had some impact on Mendes.
I won't say more.
For example, in the previous life, players like Falcao, Rodriguez, Di Maria, and Marcelo, who were originally under Mendes' management, were all poached by Li Shiguang and brought to Leeds United instead of signing with Mendes.
Falcao and Rodriguez are now players under Raiola's management.
Di Maria is under Tuchel's management, and although Marcelo has an agent, he plays in the Segunda División. Perhaps neither of them has yet come into Mendes' sights.
After exchanging a few pleasantries and waiting for the coffee to be served, Mendes' friend left the private room. Mendes put down his cup and asked the question that had been on his mind: "Mr. Li, may I ask what brings you to meet me today?"
Seeing that this top agent finally couldn't resist taking the initiative, they decided to make their move.
Li Shiguang put down his coffee cup, a warm smile on his face. He didn't answer Mendes' question, but instead changed the subject: "Mr. Mendes, do you know Raiola?"
“Of course.” Mendes nodded. “Although we are competitors, we have healthy competition. I occasionally talk to Mino on the phone to exchange information about the transfer market.”
"So, are you familiar with the players he's signed from Leeds United in recent years?" When he asked this question, Li Shiguang's smile suddenly turned mysterious.
How could I not know?
Mendes has been keeping an eye on all the young talents that Raiola has signed in the last two years.
Moreover, he sent people to make contact with them.
Without exception, when his men contacted these players or their families, they all refused Mendes's offers. What angered him most was that these players would sign with Raiola shortly afterward.
As soon as Li Shiguang finished speaking, Mendes gave a wry smile: "Mr. Li, I know you very well. To be honest, I admire your eye for selecting young players. People say you are a 'talent picker.' But I think that description is too conservative. After all, the young players you have chosen, at least at Leeds United, have all lived up to their potential!"
"oh?"
Li Shiguang raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting Mendes to have such a high opinion of him.
But then Li Shiguang asked with a half-smile, "Since Mr. Mendes speaks so highly of the young players in my team, why have I never heard Allen mention that you have signed any of these Leeds United players?"
Holy crap? Is this a case of killing someone by breaking their spirit?
Why I've never signed a Leeds United player, shouldn't you know better than anyone else?
Although Mendes himself is a guest of honor of influential figures such as Florentino Pérez, Abramovich, and the Glazer family, and can chat with these bigwigs, this is all based on his very close cooperative relationship with them.
However, before figuring out Li Shiguang's purpose in inviting him to meet today, Mendes felt it was best not to be as casual in front of people like Florentino.
To hide the eye roll he was about to make.
Mendes lowered his head, picked up his coffee, took a sip, and put the cup down before speaking again: "Mr. Li, perhaps it's because my sense of smell is a bit off, but every time I send people out to find those outstanding young players in your team, they have already signed with other agents, such as Mino, whom we just talked about."
“Mr. Mendes, that’s a joke that’s gone too far.” Li Shiguang also picked up his coffee and took a sip, his smile widening. “If you have a bad sense of smell, then there are no agents in the world with a good sense of smell.”
"As for why you've never signed a player for Leeds United, it's actually quite simple. It's because I've instructed them that any players I select to join Leeds United's youth academy will first be recommended to Raiola so he can negotiate with them. If he can't reach an agreement, then the players will choose other agents. But it seems that Raiola is quite capable; at least every Leeds United player who has signed with him is very satisfied with his service."
Depend on!
Just as I expected!
When Mendes heard Li Shiguang say that Leeds United would recommend their youth academy players to Raiola first, his expression was priceless.
He had thought that Raiola and Leeds United had a good relationship, but he hadn't expected it to be this good. Besides, Leeds United was completely privatized. According to Li Shiguang, Raiola's good relationship wasn't with the Leeds United club, but with Li Shiguang, the owner of Leeds United!
Getting too close to club management is a major taboo in an agent's job.
But now Li Shiguang is saying it so bluntly and without any restraint in front of me. What exactly does he want to do?
At this moment, Mendes was no longer concerned about himself, and he was sitting face to face with Li Shiguang. He picked up his coffee and frowned as he pondered the meaning behind Li Shiguang's words to him.
Li Shiguang's thoughts were actually quite simple.
If you want to successfully sign Ronaldo, then Mendes is definitely a key part of the process.
Just like I told Allen before.
If he could establish a similar partnership with Mendes as Raiola, he could play a significant role in pursuing Ronaldo.
Even if the plan to sign Ronaldo ultimately fails, maintaining a slightly closer relationship with an agent like Mendes, who has influence with major European clubs, would still give Li Shiguang, the shady dealer, a lot of leverage when selling players.
That's why Li Shiguang didn't hesitate to tell Mendes about the benefits Raiola had received from him, in order to pique his interest. Once Mendes was interested, he was confident that he could bring this top agent under his wing!
Mendes didn't keep Li Shiguang waiting for long.
It took less than a minute.
The Portuguese agent's furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
Mendes put down his coffee cup and looked at Li Shiguang, his tone filled with anticipation: "So, Mr. Li, what price do I have to pay to get the same priority signing privilege as Mino at your Leeds United?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
