Chapter 967 is too expensive?

Some people say that the law of conservation of energy also exists in professional football, so strong teams and weak teams are always up and down.

Every summer transfer window brings some joy and some sorrow.

When Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton announced the signing of two superstars, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, in southern England, Manchester United, far away in the northwest of England, urgently convened a core senior management meeting to discuss countermeasures.

The helmsmen of the Glazer family, brothers Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer, both appeared at Old Trafford at the same time. In addition to club CEO Ed Woodward and other senior executives, club head coach Giggs was also present at the meeting.

But what is most surprising is that Ferguson, who had already announced his retirement, is also on the list.

Previously, the media disclosed that although Manchester United finally made it back to the Champions League last season, the management was not satisfied with Giggs' coaching and believed that he was not able to take charge of Manchester United for the time being, so there was a rumor that Woodward had contact with Ancelotti.

But later, as Ancelotti announced that he would coach Southampton, the media once again reported that Ferguson had urged the management to keep Giggs, which allowed the Welshman to barely keep his position as Manchester United head coach.

Now, this group of helmsmen who can dominate the fate of Manchester United at any time and anywhere are troubled by one thing.

"Herbert Hainer of Adidas called us a while ago and said that although the team's jersey sales exceeded expectations, they were still not satisfied with the team's performance on the pitch. They hoped that Manchester United could win the Premier League in the new season and perform worthy of the sky-high sponsorship fee."

In order to snatch Manchester United from Nike, Adidas paid a sky-high transfer price of 750 million pounds over ten years.

Such a blockbuster contract is second only to the sponsorship contract between Southampton and Nike in the entire European football.

Although the Saints' jersey sponsorship has not been announced to the public, it is reported that after signing Messi, Nike's annual sponsorship fee to the Saints will exceed 90 million pounds, which would have exceeded 100 million euros.

According to Adidas's assessment, Manchester United can bring Adidas sales of about 2 million jerseys each year, bringing in nearly 70 million pounds in profits, and in terms of jersey derivatives, it can bring Adidas about 10 million pounds in profits each year.

This data can be said to have created a new record in Manchester United's history.

However, compared with Southampton, this data is still much inferior.

According to official data from Nike, after cooperating with Southampton, Nike can sell three million jerseys every year, not including special-priced jerseys exclusively for China. It is estimated that it can bring Nike more than 100 million pounds in profits every year.

But it’s just the jerseys.

In the past few years, the Saints have been committed to launching their own casual clothing brand. They cooperated with Nike and independently launched the Saints brand. The result was an instant hit, sales volume has been rising steadily, and the market prospects are very promising.

In addition, the Saints have achieved such outstanding results in recent years and the team is full of stars, so it is natural for Nike to give them a sky-high sponsorship.

But Manchester United's situation is not very good.

If the Red Devils brand has been barely maintained in the commercial field, then in the competitive field, Manchester United has been pushed off the throne of the Premier League by Southampton. In addition, the results in the past two seasons have not been ideal. This will not satisfy Adidas, which sponsors Manchester United at a huge price.

In fact, it's not just Adidas, other sponsors are also dissatisfied.

"Although we brought in Gaitan and Salvio in this summer's transfer operation, it is still not enough. They want us not only to return to the Champions League, but also to regain our status and influence as the overlord of the Premier League!"

Joel Glazer said this, his eyes swept across Ferguson and Giggs, and looked at Ed Woodward.

"Ed, I need your explanation!"

It was obvious that he was here to demand accountability.

That is, why has the team been so bad at recruiting players so far?

Previously, it was said that the club had no money and that all income went into the pockets of the Glazer family, which led to complaints from fans.

Well, now we have the money and have promised 200 million pounds in one go, but what about recruiting players?

Does this mean that the Glazer family will have to bear the blame forever?

"Joel, regarding the issue of recruiting players, I admit that there were indeed oversights and mistakes in the management's operation."

Ed Woodward admitted frankly, "However, we did put a lot of energy into the operation this summer, but the problem now is that we have money, but people don't sell!"

“Who’s not selling?” asked Joel Glazer.

In the professional football field these days, are there still players that money cannot buy?

"The best star resources are now basically concentrated in four teams, namely Saints, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona. These four teams almost encompass the best star resources in the world. Even if you have money, it is difficult to buy the players they have on hand."

Ed Woodward was also very helpless about this.

He wanted to sign Gareth Bale and Neymar, but Real Madrid and Barcelona didn't even talk to him and just told him two words: Get out!

"Are there no other teams?" Avram Glazer asked, frowning.

There is no doubt that judging from Ed Woodward's tone, Manchester United has fallen out of the top group in Europe.

"No, there are some, such as Cavani and Reus from Tottenham Hotspur, Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure and De Bruyne from Manchester City, or Isco, Koke, Diego Costa and Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, etc. They are all excellent first-class stars."

When Ed Woodward said this, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"However, these teams are basically ambitious, not to mention Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Atletico Madrid's finances have also improved a lot in recent years. Coupled with the lucrative income from the Champions League, they don't need to rely on selling stars to support the operation of the team at all."

What Ed Woodward didn't say is that with the completion and opening of Atletico Madrid's new stadium this summer, the Colchoneros' financial revenue has increased significantly. In the next few years, Atletico Madrid is bound to make great strides.

In this case, with the team's average age so young and their potential so unlimited, how could the Colchoneros sell any players?

Ferguson also sighed, "In the past few years, a lot of capital has poured into Europe, and high-level quality stars have become very scarce. Even with the increase in the purchasing power of the Premier League and the gradual entry of foreign capital into teams such as AC Milan and Valencia, their purchasing power has been greatly increased."

"On the one hand, talent development is progressing slowly, but on the other hand, purchasing power is increasing, which has directly led to a growing bubble in the European football transfer market, and even a situation where the supply of players exceeds the demand."

The Glazer brothers looked at each other and saw the worry in each other's eyes.

They know better than anyone what this means.

"What good suggestions do you have now?" Joel Glazer asked with a sigh.

Ed Woodward had no choice but to look to Ferguson.

Ferguson shook his head, knowing in his heart that one of the important reasons for Manchester United's current predicament is that the Glazer family's business strategy in the past few years has directly led to a talent gap in Manchester United.

If there hadn't been an influx of foreign capital, and the rise of Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United would have continued to hold on to the title of Premier League champion and would have been doing very well. But now...

"At this point, there is no better solution. We can only continue to bring in players like Gaitan and Salvio who are not among the top players in Europe but have good strength, and focus on bringing in outstanding potential newcomers and cultivating them. Apart from this, I can't think of any other solution."

After hearing this, Ed Woodward smiled bitterly and said, "In fact, even players like Gaitan and Salvio are worth quite a lot."

Who says it’s not?

The shortage of talent and excess capital have directly resulted in rising player values ​​and salaries.

Thinking about it, the Glazer brothers couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Why was Cristiano Ronaldo sold in the first place?

Look at him now, he is already 30 years old, but the Portuguese still bought him for 100 million pounds, in cash!

If the Portuguese player had not been sold back then and had been kept until now, Manchester United would have made an unknown amount of money.

Thinking of this, the Glazer brothers felt really regretful.

Who the hell would have thought that capital would pour in so fiercely?

"So what is the team's goal now?" Joel Glazer asked again.

Giggs looked at Ferguson, then at Ed Woodward, and replied: "We need to strengthen the midfield and defense. In the midfield, our target is Monaco's Argentine midfielder Biglia, but..."

"But what?" Joel Glazer heard Giggs' hesitation.

Ed Woodward said: "It was reported earlier that Monaco and Barcelona have made great progress in the transfer negotiations for Biglia under the mediation of the famous agent Mendes. It is said that Barcelona's offer is as high as 35 million euros, which is too much for a 29-year-old midfielder..."

“Too expensive?”

Joel Glazer frowned and he also felt distressed.

Damn it, 35 million euros to introduce a 29-year-old midfielder?

But the problem is that it is difficult to find talented people.

"Let's talk to Monaco right away. We have decided to offer a higher price than Barcelona, ​​40 million... no, 45 million euros. We must get Biglia!" Joel Glazer said in a loud voice.

At this time, a major signing is no longer just a signing for Manchester United.

More importantly, we need to show our determination to the fans and sponsors!

"The defense line..."

"You draw up a list and then let us decide!"

"What about De Gea's transfer to Real Madrid..."

"You also said that there is a shortage of excellent players and good goalkeepers are hard to find, so do your best to keep them!"

Ed Woodward suddenly smiled bitterly.

Do everything you can to keep De Gea?

Real Madrid believed you wanted to sell him and they have already sold Casillas. But now you want to go back on your word and force De Gea to stay?

Real Madrid must be furious!

"By the way, we also heard that the Premier League is going to reform the broadcasting rights distribution model recently?" Joel Glazer asked with concern.

Broadcasting fees are a major source of income for Manchester United, so we must not be careless.

"Yes, the initiative jointly proposed by Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City will be voted on at the Chairman's Summit in August. Overall, it will be of great benefit to the teams at the top of the league, so we will fully support Southampton."

Joel Glazer nodded, as long as it was good for Manchester United.

Ed Woodward quickly added: "However, I have received news that there are also many voices of opposition, so it is hard to say whether it will pass or not."

"Someone objects? Who?" Joel Glazer asked curiously.