On March 29, under the watchful eyes of football fans worldwide, England's sole representative in this year's Champions League, Arsenal, faced Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals. The two sides will play the first leg at Highbury Stadium.
Before the match started, Li Shiguang appeared in the VIP box at Highbury, accompanied by Raiola, who had been playing very well against Leeds United recently.
Since Li Shiguang agreed to help Raiola expand his business in Turin, Pique, Bale, and Falcao, who have been performing exceptionally well in the first team, have all signed agency contracts with Raiola. Meanwhile, most of the youth team players have also chosen Raiola as their first agent through Allen's recommendation.
Raiola isn't stupid; he doesn't sign just anyone.
Previously, he only thought the young players in Leeds United's first team had high potential, but after arriving in Leeds, he discovered that Leeds United's youth team truly had a wealth of potential players, such as those Belgian youngsters. After watching one of their youth team matches, Raiola didn't hesitate and immediately decided to sign these teenagers. In his view, given time, these lads would definitely become the backbone of the Belgian national team.
Sometimes he really couldn't understand Li Shiguang.
Generally speaking, club owners and head coaches sometimes dislike agents, feeling that they often ask the club to raise players' salaries for their own benefit, or when other clubs offer high prices, they keep encouraging players to put pressure on the club to let them leave. It's the first time I've ever met a head coach and owner like Li Shiguang who actively invites an agent to sign contracts with the players of his team!
So after signing these players, Raiola immediately went to Li Shiguang's office and made a lot of promises of loyalty. He basically said that if any club contacted these players privately in the future, he would definitely report to Li Shiguang immediately. If Li Shiguang didn't want to sell, he would definitely refuse directly and would never whisper in the players' ears to put pressure on the club.
Li Shiguang's reaction completely surprised him. He told him that there was no need to do this, and if other clubs made offers, he could negotiate with them to maximize his own interests.
This whole operation made Raiola extremely grateful to Li Shiguang, and he promised to return to Italy and persuade Ibrahimovic to transfer to Leeds United.
A few days ago, Li Shiguang called and invited Raiola to watch today's game. After hanging up the phone, Raiola did not dare to delay and immediately booked a flight for yesterday, arriving in London a day early to wait for Li Shiguang's arrival!
As Raiola was still thinking, Li Shiguang, who had been standing in front of the French windows, suddenly turned around and asked, "Mino, after you talked to me on the phone last time, have you communicated with Zlatan? Has his attitude changed?"
Now for the main point! Raiola quickly pulled himself back to reality, sat up straight, and said seriously, "Mr. Li, Zlatan is still conflicted. Mainly, in terms of the team lineup, he still feels that Juventus is more competitive. As you know, Zlatan is a very ambitious player, and at his age, it is difficult to persuade him with money."
“But…” Raiola, seeing Li Shiguang’s face gradually darken, hurriedly continued, “Don’t worry! There’s still some time before the season ends, and then there’s the World Cup. Give me some time, and I believe I can persuade him!”
After returning from Leeds, Raiola invited Ibrahimovic out for dinner.
At the dinner table, Raiola formally told Ibrahimovic about Li Shiguang's desire to sign him, offering a very attractive salary. As he expected, upon hearing the news, Ibrahimovic immediately picked up his phone to check Leeds United's league ranking at the time, and then rejected Raiola, stating that he didn't want to play for a team that couldn't even qualify for the Europa League.
At that time, Leeds United were indeed in the middle of the Premier League table, and Raiola knew Ibrahimovic's personality very well, so he didn't try to persuade Ibrahimovic much. He just told Ibrahimovic to wait a little longer, in case Leeds United could eventually qualify for the Champions League.
After the meal, Raiola immediately conveyed Ibrahimovic's attitude to Li Shiguang, who also expressed his understanding.
But as Leeds United's performance improved, Raiola brought up the matter with Ibrahimovic again. However, this time Ibrahimovic's attitude became more subtle. He no longer directly refused as before, but expressed his intention to consider it further.
In Europe, where professional football is most developed, whether a player wants to transfer, or where to transfer, is still a decision that the player must make himself. Agents can only play a supporting role. Ibrahimovic's change of attitude gave Raiola hope, which is why he gave Li Shiguang a relatively definite promise just now.
After hearing Raiola's addition, Li Shiguang's expression gradually softened. As if he had thought of something, he smiled contemptuously and said something that left Raiola completely baffled: "It's okay, it'll be soon. Wait another month or so and then ask Zlatan again. I believe he will accept the contract I offered him by then."
Raiola was taken aback. What the heck? Why would Zlatan agree after only a month or two? Curiosity filled Raiola's heart, but seeing that Li Shiguang didn't want to say more, the clever Raiola finally suppressed his desire to ask further and followed Li Shiguang, who had returned to the window, to focus his attention on the football field.
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When Li Shiguang saw the Champions League quarter-final matchup list, he remembered some memories that he had forgotten because they were too far away. For example, this year's Champions League champion was Barcelona, who defeated Chelsea in the last round, and their opponent in the final is Arsenal, who are about to kick off!
The reason Li Shiguang still came to watch the game was partly to arrange a talk with Raiola. If there was any progress on Ibrahimovic's side, Li Shiguang wanted to find an opportunity after the game for Raiola to arrange a meeting with Ibrahimovic in person. However, it seems that there is no need for that now.
On the other hand, this match can be considered a classic in the history of the Champions League. Li Shiguang also wanted to see in person how Arsenal defeated Juventus, who had the most luxurious lineup in Europe at the time!
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