Chapter 726: Upgrading to a Cannon

"30 million!"

"30 million?" Florentino jumped up immediately.

"Master Huan, you are not kidding, are you? We spent 30 million to bring in Di Maria. You are still asking for this price now. It's too insincere, right? Do you really think that this best player in the Champions League final is fake?"

"Uh... Florentino, I meant pounds!"

"Pounds? Oh, I thought you meant Euros! But even if it's pounds, we can't sell it!"

"Those thirty-five million... pounds!"

"No, I won't sell it!"

"Forty million pounds!"

"Master Huan, we are people of different identities and status. When negotiating the price, can you please be more courageous? Don't increase the price by five million at a time. It will make people think we are cheap!"

"Damn it, you're not spending your own money, so of course you can be nice, but I'm spending my hard-earned money, how can I not be fussy? If I wasn't frugal and willing to split a pound in half, how could Southampton be in this situation now?"

"Well...anyway, no matter what, I won't sell it unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you trade for Suarez!"

"Fuck, you want to exchange a Di Maria for a Suarez? You are so beautiful!"

"I can always add more money!"

"More money? I don't have anything else but a lot of money!"

"Well, Master Huan, who was it that just now said that he wished he could break a pound into two and spend it, but now he says that he has a lot of money, isn't that a bit too much?"

"What do you care about me?"

"Well, Master Huan, I'll add another 30 million euros in exchange for Suarez!"

"No, that's absolutely impossible, no way!"

"Then it would be okay to replace Toni Kroos, right?"

"Tony Cross? Damn, you're targeting my commander!"

"Hehe, there's nothing we can do. Xabi Alonso is getting old, so we need to find a successor quickly. Toni Kroos is good, he's handsome, and after being tempered in the Premier League, his defense has also been greatly improved. He's good at both offense and defense, I think he can do it!"

"You think it's okay, but I don't? Even if you give Di Maria more money, I won't change him!"

"Hey, Master Huan, you are being too unreasonable. Can we still talk properly?"

"In short, Suarez and Toni Kroos are not for sale!"

"Uh, Master Huan, I remember you said that there is nothing that is not for sale these days, it just depends on whether the price you offer is high enough!"

"Did I say that?"

"I did!"

"You must have heard it wrong!"

"You...Okay, then I'll replace Modric, is that okay?"

"Modric? Florentino, you really are a jerk. Is there any player in my team that you haven't targeted?"

"Hey, don't be angry, don't be angry, Master Huan. This proves that Southampton has a high ability to manage players and their players are strong. I don't think highly of the players of other teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, etc."

"Can you please stop talking like I should be grateful to you for liking my players?"

"Just kidding, Master Huan, Di Maria for Modric!"

"You are so beautiful, do you know how rare and precious midfielders like Modric are? You exchanged Di Maria for my Modric, do you think your Di Maria is valuable? Isn't it just a few good games?"

"Uh, Master Huan, you said you wanted to buy it..."

"But it's not to the point of exchanging Modric!"

"I'll pay more!"

"More money?"

"I know that Chelsea offered 50 million pounds to buy Modric not long ago, but you rejected it. So, I will increase the money to 20 million euros, Di Maria for Modric!"

"this……"

"Master Huan, Modric is already 29 years old, but Di Maria is only 26 years old, right in his prime, it's a good deal!"

"Damn, you're giving me such a good deal? Then why are you so stupid to take it out and exchange it?"

"Well, isn't it because we have a lot of explosive players like Di Maria in our team, but we are in urgent need of a controlling player like Modric?"

“I see…”

"Twenty-five million euros, one price, Di Maria for Modric!"

“You…”

"Thirty million euros, no more!"

"I'm crying, Florentino, who said just now, don't add five million at a time? At least I use pounds, but you use euros, can you not be so cheap?"

"Hey, Master Huan, I'm short of money, right? I still owe you a large sum of money last year, and we need to recruit more players this summer, so we have to spend frugally, right? Thirty million euros, in cash!"

Seeing Florentino striking while the iron is hot and adding chips again, Yang Huan was really a little tempted.

Modric is indeed the kind of controlling midfielder that is very scarce in European football today, but the problem is that Southampton is not short of this kind of players, especially with Hazard in the frontcourt who is very good at controlling and organizing.

On the contrary, Di Maria, a player with superb skills and who is willing to humble himself to run and defend, is exactly the type of player Southampton needs right now.

But there is still a problem, that is, Modric is gone. Even if Di Maria is replaced, how will the ball be passed?

However, when it comes to passing the ball, Yang Huan thought of someone.

When Florentino saw Yang Huan's slightly satisfied smile, he immediately knew that this deal was a possibility.

"Master Huan, how is it? Can we talk?"

Real Madrid now relies on Xabi Alonso to support the midfield. Although Vidal is good at both offense and defense, his contribution is very small in the middle area between offense and defense, so Xabi Alonso is very crucial.

The introduction of Toni Kroos was more for the purpose of succeeding Xabi Alonso, but the introduction of Modric was to share the pressure of Xabi Alonso and enhance the midfield strength of Real Madrid.

"I'll think about it!" Yang Huan did not agree on the spot.

Just at this time, the first half of the game ended and both sides returned to the locker room with a score of 1:1.

The entire first half was quite exciting, with Southampton and Real Madrid scoring a goal each, but for the Saints, this goal was very important because they were playing away.

Therefore, Yang Huan's mood was pretty good, not too bad.

During the half-time break, Yang Huan found an excuse to leave the chairman's stand, entered the VIP lounge, found a secluded place, and called Marcus du Sautoy who was far away in Southampton.

"Marcus, are Ramon and Jorge with you?" Yang Huan asked.

"Yes! Master Huan, we actually played quite well in the first half. Real Madrid is not weak, so it is reasonable for us to equalize the score. We have already handed over the analysis report to the coaching staff, and I believe they should be able to take countermeasures soon."

Marcus du Satoy thought Yang Huan was worried about the progress of the game.

This is not surprising, because this season is the first time Southampton has reached the Champions League, and now it is the quarter-finals.

It can be said that every step Southampton takes now is creating the history of the football club on the south coast of England.

Not only Southampton, but the entire English football world is paying attention to this Saints team.

Yang Huan knew that the other party had misunderstood, but he was too lazy to explain. "It's good that you are here. Now help me study it. If I use Di Maria instead of Modric, what will the effect be?"

"Di Maria for Modric?" Marcus du Satoy on the other end of the phone was a little surprised.

Di Maria has become extremely popular in recent times, especially in last season's Champions League final. His performance made him famous overnight and he has become a top European star, or even a superstar.

And judging from his performance this season, Di Maria’s playing as a central midfielder is indeed a transformation.

At least, as a central midfielder under Ancelotti's tactical system, Di Maria fully played his advantages.

"Someone wants to exchange Di Maria for Modric for 30 million euros. I have to think about it and see if it's worth it!"

"Di Maria plus 30 million euros?" Marcus du Satoy was also a little surprised.

"That's something I need to think about carefully!"

It was clear that he also felt that this was an offer well worth considering.

When Yang Huan hung up the phone, there was a series of keyboard clicking sounds on the other end of the phone. It should be a tactical simulation being performed on the computer system. At the same time, there were many people discussing and even arguing over there.

About ten minutes later, Yang Huan received their reply.

"Master Huan, we generally believe that Di Maria's arrival will greatly activate Hazard in the frontcourt and even the entire trident, but once we decide to do this, James Rodriguez's situation may be awkward, and we need to arrange a player who can help Toni Kroos in another position in the midfield."

In Southampton's tactical system, James Rodriguez is considered a number 10 attacking midfielder, but his defensive attitude is very active. He often retreats to participate in defense, but when attacking, he will definitely go to the front.

And if Di Maria comes, James Rodriguez will definitely be affected.

"Master Huan, you know that we have always believed that there is always a problem with the distribution of ball possession between James Rodriguez and Hazard, but there is no such problem between Di Maria and Hazard."

"The technical characteristics of this Argentine player will greatly enrich the team's offensive means. His contribution on the defensive end is also quite good. However, the hidden danger is that he is thin and weak. But you also know that physical problems are usually not a problem for us!"

What Southampton can be most sure of is improving the players' physical fitness, which is a strength of the Saints after years of investment.

Yang Huan had an idea in mind, and after thinking about it, he came up with another plan.

That is to take off James Rodriguez, replace him with another midfielder, and let the technical team do the math.

As a result, this time, the answer was given within five minutes.

"Master Huan, the answer we got is that our offense will be a level stronger than it is now, and our defense will at least maintain its current level, but it may also be better."

Yang Huan was right, it was exactly like that!

In the last plan, Southampton used Toni Kroos as the lone defensive midfielder.

But as Bielsa said in his theory, the hardness of defense does not depend on individual players, but on the team as a whole.

The defense in the midfield does not depend on whether you have a single defensive midfielder or two defensive midfielders, but on your entire midfield and frontcourt.

So, although Barcelona plays with a single defensive midfielder, their entire defense is very solid. That's the reason.

Another truth is that the best defense is offense.

When a team reaches a certain level of strength, offense is the best defense.

Apart from anything else, with the players there, it is impossible for the opponent not to invest manpower to defend.

Thinking of this, Yang Huan smiled slightly, "Okay, you guys study it according to the plan I gave you and quickly give a report. I'll go back and talk to Bielsa about it. If it's feasible, we'll start right away!"

Just kidding, if it goes well, Southampton will definitely be able to upgrade their game again without investing a penny, but the team's entire midfield and frontcourt will be improved again.

Where can I find such a good thing?