Chapter 757: Mistake

Time flies. There is a 3-week interval between the two rounds of the Champions League semi-finals, but it feels like it went by in the blink of an eye. It's too fast.

In the last Champions League semi-final, Southampton played away and nearly 100,000 fans gathered at the Glory Square. That scene not only made all the merchants in the Glory Square excited, but also made everyone see the commercial potential here.

With the experience of a week ago, this time, the merchants in Glory Plaza did not need the club to worry too much. They carefully prepared a series of promotional activities early on, hoping to attract more fans to gather.

As a result, at dusk, the area from Glory Square to St. Mary's Square was already busy with traffic.

Even the Southampton police were dispatched and had to arrive here early to maintain order at the scene.

If the Saints were to encounter a major traffic jam during such a crucial decisive battle, the rage of the angry fans would surely burn them all to ashes, and even the police chief would probably have to step down and apologize.

A golden extended version of the Lagonda Conqueror slowly followed the flow of traffic towards St. Mary's Stadium.

This car is exactly the same as Yang Huan's, but the license plate number is different.

But many Saints fans couldn't tell the difference. They just knew that a reporter had reported that the Lagonda Conqueror Extended Edition was limited edition and that Young Master Huan owned one, so many people chased after the car and shouted Young Master Huan's name.

This made Pini Zahavi, who was sitting in the car, feel helpless and envious.

"It feels good to be misunderstood!"

Sitting opposite him were the famous European agent Joorabchian and the Brazilian super agent Giuliano Bertolucci.

Brazilians rarely come to Southampton. Seeing the group of fans outside who were shouting and chasing the car despite the mistake, they nodded with envy and admiration and said, "I dare say that Master Huan is definitely the most popular club owner in Europe!"

"Who says it's not?" Horabchin nodded.

"I have been to so many clubs and met so many managers, but there has never been any team or any boss who can win the hearts of so many fans and be so popular with them like Master Huan!"

Pini Zahavi smiled and said, "That's for sure. You know, four years ago, the Saints were still in the third-tier league in England, but what about now? The Saints have a very high chance of reaching the Champions League final and becoming European champions!"

"Tell me, based on this achievement, which club in Europe can do it?"

When he said this, the Israeli looked back out the window. "Not to mention the fans outside, sometimes even those of us who followed Master Huan all the way here find it incredible. We ourselves never expected this day to come. This feeling is like a dream!"

Giuliano Bertolucci nodded continuously as he listened. "I once met Raiola, and he said that sometimes he even doubted whether Master Huan had the ability to predict the future, because almost all the players he liked were quite outstanding."

Pini Zahavi laughed out loud. "He is right. If this statement is not a bit sci-fi, I have the same feeling myself. In fact, I feel much more strongly than that fat guy."

He paused, as if recalling his past experiences.

"Do you know? For my first deal with Southampton, I provided a list of names, but Young Master Huan took a look, picked up a pen, and quickly ticked off a few names. As a result, each of these players is now worth a hundred times more."

At this point, Pini Zahavi smiled bitterly and shook his head, "If someone told me that Young Master Huan could tell fortunes, I would definitely not doubt it, and I would even believe it!"

After hearing this, Joorabchian and Giuliano Bertolucci just smiled, and they didn't feel deeply about it.

Since Oscar moved to Southampton, there have been more transactions between them and the Saints.

Over the past year, they have brought to the Saints several outstanding Brazilian young talents such as Gerson, Kennedy and Barbosa, and Southampton has also been ruthless when it comes to introducing such talented players.

This time they came to Southampton H mainly to talk to Southampton about Barbosa.

If possible, Horabchin was eager to negotiate a big deal with Young Master Huan.

The Lagonda Conqueror slowly drove into Southampton's employee passage and entered the parking lot of the administrative office.

There were many Saints fans outside the fence shouting Master Huan's name, but when they saw that the person getting off the car was not Master Huan, they were all disheartened and some even booed.

This made Pini Zahavi and the other two very depressed.

Come on, it's your fault, okay? Why are you booing us?

But they all know that Southampton attaches great importance to interaction and connection with fans, so they can only endure this injustice, otherwise Southampton will definitely cause trouble for them.

"Come on, let's go in quickly!"

The three of them hurried straight to the gate.

Southampton's new stadium is extremely expensive, and there are many employees in the Saints' office. There are more than 20 people in the marketing department alone, all of whom are elite talents in the industry.

In addition, there is the press and public relations department, the fan service department, the sports department...

All in all, the Saints have more than a hundred employees, and the office area takes up a large area.

After careful consideration, Yang Huan decided to build a headquarters building at the Royal Cruise Terminal. In addition to being used for club offices, it will also provide a variety of services to fans, and the Saints Fan Club will also be located there.

Therefore, until the headquarters building is completed, the Saints' offices will still be at St. Mary's Stadium.

Although this office looks a bit small and old, after the renovation it looks completely different from the past.

As soon as you enter the lobby, there is a young receptionist sitting in the back.

As soon as he saw Pini Zahavi and others coming in, he immediately stood up with a smile and said, "Hello, Mr. Zahavi, Mr. Gourlay informed me before that you can go directly to his office when you come. Please follow me!"

"Okay, thank you!"

Giuliano Bertolucci It was his first time to visit Southampton's executive offices and he felt a little surprised.

"This is operated completely in accordance with the modern enterprise management model!"

Joorabchian came a few times and nodded: "Yes, so Southampton is very efficient."

Who says it’s not?

The management of today's football clubs, especially the top teams, is so poor that there is no efficiency at all.

Everywhere is filled with people who rely on connections and relationships, and there are many people who are just sitting there doing nothing and doing nothing.

Seeing that Southampton is able to implement modern management, it is not difficult to see the team's ambitions.

The receptionist quickly took them to an office with a nameplate on the door saying "Chief Operating Officer".

After knocking on the door, the receptionist took them in.

"Hello, Pini, Chia, Giuliano, welcome to St. Mary's!"

As soon as Ron Gourlay saw them come in, he left his desk and came over to meet them.

Because they had had many transactions and contacts before, they were quite familiar with each other and exchanged a few polite words as soon as they met.

Southampton is now a big club, and Ron Gourlay is in charge of the team's transfer operations. Naturally, he is highly valued by Pini Zahavi, Joorabchian and Giuliano Bertolucci.

Of course, big signings require negotiation among multiple people, but for some low-priced small players, Ron Gourlay can make his own decision after they pass a technical evaluation.

However, I heard that Southampton will also evaluate his performance.

"It was a bit sudden to invite them here this time." Ron Gourlay sounded apologetic from the beginning.

Horabchin laughed and shook his head, "Ron, you are too polite. Southampton is playing against Bayern Munich. Even if you don't invite us, we will do everything we can to come. It will be a pity to miss it!"

"Isn't it? I heard that the general market outside is optimistic about Southampton reaching the final. Can we miss it?" Bertolucci also laughed.

Ron Gourlay smiled. He was actually just expressing his attitude. Was he really afraid that they would be unhappy?

Stop joking, Southampton doesn’t need to look at anyone’s face now!

"Ron, you said before, what is the specific situation about Barbosa?" Bertolucci asked with concern.

Ron Gourlay nodded: "Here's what happened. About two days ago, Master Huan told me that he was planning to loan a player to Ajax, so I asked the technical department to evaluate it. They felt that Barbosa could do the job, so I wanted to hear your opinions."

"Go to Ajax?" Joorabchian and Bertolucci looked at each other, both a little surprised.

But this is also a very good opportunity for the players.

Even though the Dutch Eredivisie is in decline now, Ajax has long lost its former glory as a European powerhouse, and even compared to the first few years of the century, it has declined even more regrettably. But after all, it was once a youth training temple, and its ability to train players is top-notch. If Barbosa can perform well in Ajax, his value will skyrocket immediately.

"What do you think?" Ron Gourlay asked with a smile.

In fact, Southampton can make decisions on this matter on their own and there is no need to ask the agent.

But out of courtesy, Ron Gourlay decided to discuss it with them.

"We have no problem!" Joorabchian and Bertolucci made the decision through eye contact.

"But, Ron, can you become a starter at Ajax?"

This is also a very critical factor.

Barbosa performed very well in the Brazilian league, but he is only seventeen years old.

There is no problem in going to Ajax, but there must be games to play. Without games, there is no value in training. It would be more meaningful than staying in Brazil.

"Don't worry, I have communicated with Ajax, main force!"

After hearing this, Joorabchian and Bertolucci immediately nodded and said, "Then we have no problem."

Ron Gourlay nodded and smiled, "Okay, then I'll have someone follow up on this matter and get it done as soon as possible so that Barbosa can participate in Ajax's summer training camp."

"good!"

Being able to participate in summer training is very important for a new player.

"Ron, why did you suddenly decide to let Barbosa join Ajax?" Pini Zahavi asked curiously.

Ron Gourlay smiled: "We originally wanted to loan Abubakar to Ajax, but now we have decided to loan him to Hamburg, so Ajax wanted us to loan another player there. After careful consideration, we chose Barbosa."

Pini Zahavi and Holabchin were both people with great connections. When they heard this, they immediately caught a clue, especially the Israeli, who started laughing.

"Ron, it seems that Master Huan has successfully entered the Bundesliga!"

Ron Gourlay smiled and shook his head, "I only got 35% of the shares!"

These words immediately made Horabchian and Bertolucci's eyes light up, and they looked at Pini Zahavi again, with a look of help in their eyes.

"Ron, I don't know where Master Huan is now? Is there any time? We hope to meet him."