That evening.
Local Leeds evening papers began reporting on Howard's transfer.
The following day, the sports sections of major English newspapers all mentioned that Leeds United had received numerous offers for Howard, including from Premier League teams such as West Bromwich Albion.
However, Leeds United's owner, Lee Shih-kwang, also made it clear in an interview.
Howard is the biggest contributor to Leeds United's excellent performance this season, and the club will not consider any offers that do not reach his release clause for the time being.
In the West Bromwich Albion club office, Bates stared at the reply on his computer with a grim expression.
Li Shiguang rejected his offer.
They even went so far as to report in the media that West Bromwich Albion had made an offer for Howard.
But how dare he say Leeds United would only accept offers that trigger the release clause? Does he think he's selling Buffon?
Juventus did spend over 50 million euros to bring Buffon from Parma, but he was the world's best goalkeeper!
When Li Shiguang bought Howard from Manchester United, he only spent 3 million euros, but in just 4 months, he wanted to sell him for 15 million euros.
You might as well just rob a bank! Fine, I won't buy it!
Thinking about this, Bates closed the website in frustration and was about to light a cigar to calm down.
Suddenly, the assistant rushed in, pushing open the door in a panic, and said, "Boss, you should check the club's official website right away. The fans already know that we sent an offer to Leeds United, and they're leaving messages on the website asking about the transfer progress."
"Fcuk, this Li Shiguang is fucking shameless."
Bates knew that if he didn't buy Howard this time, he might be drowned in the spittle of fans.
.................
Saturday, match day
Elland Road Stadium
The commentator, Herre Geddy, was shouting at the top of his lungs: "Timothy! Leeds United's savior! A brilliant save! He's caught the ball again!"
The Leeds United vs. Sunderland match has entered the second half stoppage time, and the score is still 0-0.
The 23rd round of matches has now concluded.
Leeds United sit atop the league table with a record of 20 wins, 3 draws, and 63 points.
Their opponent in this match is Sunderland, who are second in the standings, just two points behind.
If Leeds United remain unbeaten in this match, they will win the mid-season championship.
Howard just made another brilliant save.
Erre Geddy has lost count of how many times he has repeated those words at Elland Road this season.
After stopping his roar, he picked up the water glass beside him, took a big gulp, and then stared intently at Howard, who had just launched a long kick.
This week, Leeds has been filled with rumors that Howard might be transferring soon.
As a loyal Leeds United fan, he certainly didn't want the club to sell the in-form Howard. Judging from the situation in the first half of the season, if Howard can maintain his form in the second half, he will definitely be the most reliable guarantee for Leeds United to advance to the Premier League.
Erre Geddy has made up his mind that after this game he will definitely ask Li Shiguang not to trade Howard during the winter transfer window unless the team triggers Howard's release clause.
Just as I was lost in thought, a huge cheer erupted from the crowd.
Leeds United have scored!
Howard made the save and immediately launched a quick counter-attack with a long ball. After half a season, Leeds United's players can now be said to have mastered the essence of quick counter-attacks.
From Howard kicking the ball to the striker who was already waiting near the center circle receiving it and then scoring, Leeds United completed a textbook counter-attack in just a few seconds.
"A brilliant counterattack! Cheers, my friends! Leeds United are the mid-season champions!" Erre Geddy roared again, his throat tight with discomfort.
Seeing the Leeds United players celebrating wildly, the referee blew the final whistle to end the match.
Li Shiguang, who came to watch the game from the bench today, also heard a voice in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the mission: Consecutive Victories!]
[System rewards will be distributed after settlement...]
.................
In the VIP box at The Hawthorns, Bates turned to look at the stadium's big screen, which displayed a glaring 0-5 score.
With just over ten minutes left in the game, West Bromwich Albion's team was completely outmatched by the formidable Liverpool.
I turned my head and looked at the stadium's big screen, which displayed a glaring score of 0:5.
Inside the stadium, over 20,000 angry fans chanted things like "Bates, get out!" and "Buy Howard, you cheapskate!"
He had just hung up the phone with his assistant and knew that Leeds United had won.
Bates knew he had to act; he now needed to create positive news to appease the fans who were blinded by anger.
Thinking of this, he found Li Shiguang's number in his contacts and pressed it hard.
.................
Li Shiguang is very happy now. The team has achieved great results, and he has also completed the system's tasks.
Suddenly, his phone in his pocket started vibrating wildly. Li Shiguang took it out and was even happier, because the screen was displaying Bates's name.
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