SWR: Chapter 1041/1042

Chapter 1041: Wenger in Action

After three years in the Premier League, Gao Shen might not be familiar with other places, but he could find his way to Wembley Stadium with his eyes closed.

Especially when it came to press conferences.

On the eve of the Champions League final, the entire stadium was carefully decorated, and the atmosphere of the final could be felt everywhere.

Many posters of the two teams' players hung on the walls.

The most eye-catching, of course, was the Champions League trophy.

Led by the staff, Gao Shen entered the press conference hall where Bayern Munich's head coach, Heynckes, was being interviewed by reporters. Bayern's training session to familiarize themselves with the venue had been scheduled before Real Madrid's.

This was normal practice.

According to the draw, Bayern Munich was the host for the final and would use the home team's dressing room.

Of course, at Wembley, there was almost no difference between the home and away dressing rooms since the stadium was designed as a neutral venue. There was no embarrassing contrast between a luxurious home dressing room and a shabby away one.

What surprised Gao Shen was that Wenger was also present.

"Don't overthink it, I came here at UEFA's invitation," Wenger immediately explained when he saw Gao Shen.

"I didn't say anything. How do you know what I'm thinking?" Gao Shen countered.

Wenger gave him a look that clearly said, "I knew you'd say that." Then he stepped forward, shook hands, and gave Gao Shen a firm hug.

The two hadn't seen each other for quite some time.

Especially now, with Arsenal failing to even qualify for the Champions League.

Sometimes, Gao Shen couldn't help but think Wenger's situation was truly miserable.

Also present were UEFA's ambassador for this year's Champions League final, former Real Madrid star McManaman, as well as UEFA officials. They all came forward to greet Gao Shen.

McManaman even declared that for this final, he was definitely supporting Real Madrid.

But in reality, the former Liverpool star did not have the best relationship with Gao Shen.

Liverpool as a club also had quite a few grievances with Gao Shen.

On one hand, it was because when Gao Shen managed Manchester City, he had clashed with Liverpool several times. On the other hand, it was due to Leeds United.

Liverpool had signed many players from Leeds United, such as Adam Lallana and Benteke.

A lot of money was spent, but the team's performances failed to improve.

In contrast, Leeds United, despite selling so many players, had performed better than Liverpool as a newly promoted side. For Liverpool, this was nothing short of humiliating.

And everyone knew that behind Leeds United stood Gao Shen.

So naturally, Liverpool had no good feelings toward him.

Of course, if one day Gao Shen were to coach Liverpool, it would likely be a different story.

…

While waiting for Heynckes to come out, and after a round of greetings and small talk, Wenger pulled Gao Shen aside.

The Arsenal manager asked about a Real Madrid player, Higuaín.

"I heard you've given the green light for Higuaín's transfer?" Wenger asked seriously.

Gao Shen nodded. "That's right, but the details are being handled by the club. You'll need to contact our general manager. If you don't have his number, I can give it to you."

Real Madrid's general manager, José Sánchez, was an expert in transfer negotiations.

He was the man who signed Beckham from Manchester United and made his name overnight.

How could Wenger not realize Gao Shen was teasing him?

"I just wanted to confirm with you first. If it's true, then we'll move," Wenger said.

Since Van Persie left for Manchester City, Arsenal hadn't had a reliable striker.

Wenger had been searching, but after failed experiments with players like Chamakh, he began shifting his focus to proven scorers like Higuaín.

British media had also reported Wenger's interest in Leeds United's Icardi.

"Honestly, Professor, Higuaín isn't cheap," Gao Shen reminded him.

"I know, but our finances are better now," Wenger replied confidently.

Gao Shen was surprised. "You're rich now?"

Wenger didn't explain, only giving a look that seemed to say, "You'll see."

"After all these hard years, you finally made it through," Gao Shen congratulated him.

Wenger sighed deeply. It had been nearly ten years.

He had endured countless hardships for that damn stadium.

But now, finally, the struggles were behind him.

"So the rumors about you planning a big summer signing spree are true."

Gao Shen began counting with his fingers. "Pogba, Icardi and Koulibaly from Leeds United, Sánchez from Barcelona, and now Higuaín from Real Madrid…"

"Well, Professor, it seems you're very wealthy indeed."

Wenger was embarrassed by Gao Shen's teasing. After a long pause, he muttered, "Get lost!"

Gao Shen burst out laughing.

The truth was, Wenger couldn't possibly afford all of them.

At most, two. Any more was unrealistic.

Arsenal simply wasn't that kind of rich club.

"I was just giving you a friendly reminder."

"Go on then."

"I just spoke with Heynckes, and I can tell he's very well prepared."

Gao Shen nodded. "At Wembley, who doesn't want to win?"

That was perfectly normal.

If a team came here without the determination and belief to win, it would be laughable.

Real Madrid had it, and so did Bayern.

But in the end, only one team could laugh last.

"This Bayern side plays with great cohesion and balance. There are no glaring weaknesses. If I had to pick one, I'd say their defense can be a little unstable."

As Wenger spoke, his eyes locked on Gao Shen, clearly probing.

He probably wanted to fish out Gao Shen's tactical approach for the final.

"Bayern really don't have obvious weaknesses. Their attack and defense are well-coordinated. They counter aggressively and their transitions are very sharp. As for the defense, they're actually very solid too, with highly disciplined movement," Gao Shen analyzed.

"So…" Wenger pressed on.

"You'll find out tomorrow night," Gao Shen replied with a smile.

Wenger's smile instantly froze.

Just as he was about to scold Gao Shen, Bayern's head coach, the veteran Heynckes, emerged from the press room, looking full of energy.

As early as last year, he had already announced his retirement for this summer. Bayern had also confirmed Guardiola as his successor. But no one expected the old coach to lead Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double, as well as the Champions League final.

If he won the Champions League, he would complete the treble.

But as the media noted, over the years, many teams chasing the treble had run into Gao Shen in the Champions League final, and without exception, they had all lost.

When Heynckes spotted him, Gao Shen left Wenger and walked over.

"Hello, Jupp."

"Hello, Gao."

Heynckes was already 68, an age where he could be a grandfather, yet here they were, leading their teams into the Champions League final. It was remarkable to think about.

But Gao Shen's greatest strength was his ability to connect with people.

He could talk to anyone and get along with everyone.

Take Ferguson for example.

The Manchester United boss had once said that he felt much lonelier after Gao Shen moved to Real Madrid.

Even with Mourinho's return to Chelsea, he couldn't replace the position Gao Shen held in Ferguson's mind.

Gao Shen exchanged a few words with Heynckes, even jokingly asking if anyone had attacked or provoked him earlier.

Heynckes firmly denied it, saying it was all pleasantries.

Gao Shen promised that he too would praise him later.

And true to his word, he did.

At the pre-match press conference, Gao Shen spoke highly of Heynckes and Bayern, especially their overall strength, giving them a glowing evaluation.

This Bayern was different from the one in the original timeline. Without Robben, Javi Martínez, Kroos, and Boateng, but with Vidal in the squad.

Heynckes had tailored his approach, building a midfield with Vidal pushing forward, Gustavo and Schweinsteiger as the double pivot, Ribéry and Thomas Müller on the wings, and Mandzukic up front.

This system maximized Ribéry's influence while giving Bayern a midfield full of aggression and pressing power.

The biggest threat was Vidal.

A former favorite of Gao Shen and now his business partner, Vidal excelled at both ends of the pitch. He was Bayern's third-highest scorer this season, behind Mandzukic and Müller, with outstanding performances.

Not only that, he could press the opponent's deep-lying playmaker, while also combining with the two defensive midfielders to suffocate the opposition's midfield. He was a nightmare to deal with.

This was why many quietly worried for Gao Shen.

Manchester City had already fallen to Bayern, so could Real Madrid still beat them?

And wasn't Real Madrid's reliance on Xabi Alonso just falling into Vidal's trap?

But Gao Shen expressed confidence in his players, praised Heynckes and Bayern, and brushed off the media's provocations.

Only Gao Shen and those inside Real Madrid knew that since the Copa del Rey final, Gao Shen had shut himself away in Valdebebas, focusing on how to counter Bayern Munich.

He had studied countless match videos and data on Bayern, analyzing this familiar yet different opponent.

What he feared most was Heynckes' tactical management and in-game adjustments, so he had also carefully studied Heynckes' work in the [Tactical Library].

In short, success required thorough preparation.

But in front of the media, Gao Shen revealed nothing. He simply stated that he and his players were confident about the final, while also stressing that Bayern was a very formidable opponent and that Heynckes was a senior he deeply respected. This final would be far from easy.

In any case, all he did was praise.

If there was one thing Gao Shen was unmatched at, it was praising others.

This left the media disappointed, as they had expected fireworks.

Earlier, the old fox Heynckes had praised Gao Shen and Real Madrid, and now Gao Shen praised Heynckes and Bayern.

What was this?

Were the two of them just feeding each other compliments?

(To be continued.)

Chapter 1042: The Transfer War Intensifies

Gao Shen and his coaching staff were without doubt the most experienced team when it came to Champions League finals.

They knew better than anyone what should and should not be done before such a game.

Even their pre-final preparations followed a complete set of procedures, with everything progressing in an orderly manner.

For example, on the eve of the final, after finishing their training session at the stadium, they returned to the hotel for dinner. The players' relatives and families also arrived in London.

That evening, Gao Shen gave the players a three-hour break to reunite with their loved ones.

The purpose was simple, to help the players relax and adjust their state of mind.

But Gao Shen himself could not stay idle.

Valdano brought him news that Džeko and his agent, Irfan Rezepagic, hoped to meet him in London.

This was one of Real Madrid's potential striker signings for the summer.

As Wenger had already learned, Higuaín had made it clear he wanted to leave Real Madrid. With only Benzema and Morata left as strikers, it was imperative to bring in another top-level forward.

Morata could not yet lead the line on his own, so Gao Shen's first choice was Lewandowski.

The Dortmund striker was very strong, but unfortunately, he was also being chased by Bayern and was unwilling to join Real Madrid to compete with Benzema.

Another option was Mandžukić.

The Bayern striker had hinted that if Lewandowski joined Bayern, he would consider leaving.

But there was another issue. Dortmund were unwilling to let Lewandowski leave this season.

Since Bayern could not get Lewandowski, they naturally would not allow Mandžukić to leave either.

And even if Mandžukić did want to transfer, would he agree to join Real Madrid only to fight Benzema for minutes?

That too was uncertain.

Llorente had already gone to Juventus, Lewandowski would either stay at Dortmund or move to Bayern, and Mandžukić's future was unclear. From the current situation, Real Madrid's striker recruitment looked troublesome.

That was why Gao Shen turned to Džeko, who was unsettled at Tottenham.

After joining Spurs, the Bosnian striker had started well, but with the arrival of Adebayor and others, competition up front had become fierce. Džeko lost form and exposed his shortcomings.

In the Bundesliga, he looked like a classic number nine, but he did not always play like one.

In the Premier League, despite working to adapt, the flaws in his game were still visible.

Yet for Real Madrid, Džeko was still a reasonable option.

He had both strength and technique. Years of Premier League football had improved his physicality and his heading ability had also advanced.

With Benzema firmly established as the main striker, Džeko could provide depth while competing with Morata.

Another option for Real Madrid was Negredo.

But signing him would cost no less than 25 million euros.

More importantly, Negredo wanted a guarantee of playing time from Gao Shen.

By comparison, Džeko's price tag of around 15 to 20 million euros was much more acceptable.

And coincidentally, the Champions League final was in London.

So Džeko and his agent hoped to arrange a meeting there.

"You go meet him, see what's real, then I'll disappear," Gao Shen decided after some thought.

Mainly because he truly had no time.

Džeko was busy with the Premier League, Gao Shen with the Champions League final. Even if they met, what could they really discuss?

Besides, after the final, Real Madrid would return to Madrid the next morning to prepare for La Liga.

There was no time to sit down for long negotiations.

"Also, keep an eye out. Džeko's agent team is not simple. Look deeper into them," Gao Shen reminded.

The European football agency scene was complicated.

Some agencies specialized in certain positions, others in players from specific regions.

Džeko's representatives specialized in players from the former Yugoslavia, and they had previously clashed with Wolfsburg over a transfer.

Moreover, Džeko was not represented by just one agency.

This often created the biggest headaches.

Too many people, too many voices, and hard to satisfy everyone. Many coaches had clashed with agents for this very reason.

But Real Madrid had plenty of experience in this field. They knew how to handle such situations.

…

At Gao Shen's insistence, Real Madrid booked a manor-style hotel in northwest London.

This was the same hotel Manchester City stayed at whenever they traveled south to play in the capital, so Gao Shen knew the place well.

Players, staff, guests invited by the club, and the players' families were all accommodated there.

After handling official matters, Gao Shen took time to visit his wife, children, and parents.

It was frustrating that his son, Xiao Gaoming, was not close to him at all.

Every time Gao Shen held him, the child would start fussing and crying within minutes.

It left Gao Shen feeling depressed.

Seeing that he needed peace and focus before the decisive match, his mother took the child away to play, giving him a break.

Gao Shen slumped onto the sofa. Su Qing came up behind him, her soft hands pressing gently on his shoulders.

Even after becoming a mother, she had not devoted all her energy solely to the child. She continued her career while still caring for Gao Shen attentively, never letting him feel neglected.

"Hey, your massage is pretty good. Did you learn from a master?" Gao Shen tilted his head and joked.

Su Qing shot him a glare and pressed harder.

But when she heard him sigh, she softened.

"Call Fernando later."

"What's up?"

"Wenger has money to spend now."

"So?"

"He wants Higuaín, but I don't think it's realistic."

As he spoke, Gao Shen laughed.

There were countless jokes about Arsenal, including the one about Higuaín getting lost in Arsenal's medical room.

In his previous life, the rumors linking Higuaín to Arsenal were endless. Some even said he had already undergone a medical, only for him to suddenly turn and join Napoli in Serie A.

In fact, Napoli were currently very interested in Higuaín.

Serie A sides badly needed a striker like him.

But there were also reports that Sarri wanted Icardi instead.

Compared to Higuaín, Icardi was cheaper and younger.

Interestingly, Wenger also had his eyes on Icardi.

This reflected the current state of European football. Just look at Real Madrid, the situation was similar.

The closer a club was to the top, the narrower the pool of available players became.

Take Real Madrid's striker search, for example. There were only two or three viable targets, and none were available.

Why was that?

The answer was simple. Van Persie and Suárez were at Manchester City, Ibrahimović and Cavani at PSG.

In the past, before City and PSG rose, all four would have been within Real Madrid's reach. Now, they were locked away in rich clubs.

Barcelona were trying to poach Thiago Silva from PSG, but who knew when PSG would strike back?

There were very few top stars, and four of them were already in the hands of wealthy clubs. Monaco had also secured Falcao from Atlético Madrid.

This was why not only proven scorers like Higuaín were in high demand, but even young strikers like Icardi, with just one strong season, were being chased by top clubs.

Big fish ate small fish, small fish ate shrimp.

The shortage of talent would trickle down the entire pyramid.

And in a market economy, when supply was low and demand was high, prices naturally soared.

Take centre-backs as another example.

In Gao Shen's previous life, Chelsea had David Luiz and Gary Cahill. Now, both were at Manchester City.

So what did Chelsea have left?

Mourinho only had an aging Terry, Alex, and Ivanović. He was almost going mad. Even though he promoted youngsters like Zouma and Kalas, it was nowhere near enough.

So now, quality central defenders were extremely scarce in Europe.

Even Real Madrid's Albiol was drawing outside attention.

This situation would only continue to intensify.

Especially with the Premier League's financial power. This was just the beginning.

In the 2013/14 season, a new Premier League broadcasting deal would come into effect. Each club's revenue would almost double. By the next season, when the new money came in and with the 2014 World Cup on the horizon, the transfer market would go even crazier.

People with foresight had already seen this coming.

But many clubs had no choice.

Take Wenger for instance.

After years of saving, Arsenal's debts had eased. But Gao Shen did not believe Wenger could really spend big on transfers.

Even in his previous life, Wenger never signed Higuaín, only Özil, for over £40 million, and even that was in installments.

But Arsenal had now missed out on the Champions League for two or three years. Without that revenue, even if Wenger tightened his belt, how much could he really afford to spend?

And besides, would Higuaín really join a club not playing Champions League football?

Gao Shen's meaning was clear. Leeds United would not act rashly.

In the transfer market, a player's value was never fixed. It rose and fell with circumstances.

Today's price could be completely different tomorrow.

Timing was everything.

"I'll pass on the message," Su Qing agreed. She handled the broader picture and finances, while Lucas and Borrell dealt with football matters.

"Lucas called today to confirm the date for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new training base. They all hope you can attend. It will be a historic day for Leeds United."

Gao Shen nodded. "Tell them I'll definitely go. I've worked for this for two or three years. Now that it's finally happening, how could I miss it?"

Indeed, he had poured enormous effort into it.

Now it was finally bearing fruit.

Not only was this the groundbreaking for Leeds United's new training base, it was also the day they would sign a strategic partnership with AXA Insurance, worth £15 million annually.

For Leeds United, this was a massive deal.

Of course, Gao Shen had to be there.

(To be continued.)