SWR: Chapter 749/753

Chapter 749: Picking Up a Bargain
As a manager, the first thing you need to do is make your team understand what the team's goals are.

With a clear goal, everyone will have a direction to work toward and won't be working in isolation.

Gao Shen made it very clear to everyone: Leeds United's next objective is to return to the Premier League within two years.

"I know this won't be easy," Gao Shen said bluntly.

"I'm sure you've all seen that we're currently broke. Our youth team is seriously lacking, and our training base is outdated and terrible. Don't think I'm looking down on it—honestly, even I can't stand it."

His words made everyone laugh.

In European football, training facilities are held to very high standards.

There's even a popular saying that some treat like gospel:

"The most important purpose of training is to boost players' confidence. Only through high-intensity, high-quality training can you achieve this and genuinely improve the team's real match performance."

Now tell me, how could a manager who says things like this not care about training facilities?

"The Thorp Arch training base is just temporary. In the future, we'll build a new, state-of-the-art training center and youth academy in central Leeds. That'll be our core!"

Afterward, Gao Shen didn't hide anything and said plainly, "For now, we don't have money!"

"But once we're in the Premier League, we will!" he said confidently.

If someone else had said that, everyone would've scoffed.

"Another clueless boss making empty promises."

But if it was Gao Shen saying it, things were different.

Especially now, with nearly all the media, fans, and even teams around the world treating Gao Shen like a football god.

Has there ever been a time when he didn't deliver on his word?

"I know all of you performed well at your previous clubs. You might be wondering what Leeds United can offer you. Is it a chance to break through in your career? Improve your skills? Or maybe gain recognition?"

Gao Shen shook his head. "Sorry, I can't guarantee any of that."

"But what I can guarantee is that I'll fight alongside you. Together, we'll build a work environment and team culture at Leeds United that's unlike any other club. One that attracts more like-minded colleagues and players."

"We won't be the club paying the highest wages. We won't be the most famous or even necessarily the most successful. But we'll definitely be the most unique and special team and club."

"I promise you, everything you do here—every effort, every achievement—will become the most valuable and irreplaceable part of your future career!"

"That's my mission, to revive Leeds United!"

…

Gao Shen's words were deeply inspiring.

As the most successful manager in the world, no one understands better than him the kind of dysfunction and chaos that can happen within a club—how it happens, and why.

He's seen and heard it all.

That's why he wants to turn Leeds United into the ideal team, the club he's always dreamed of.

The first step is to make the club professional and precise.

That might sound simple.

In fact, many would probably scoff: "What's the big deal?"

But if you look deeper into European professional football, you'll stop thinking like that.

Back in 2021, when Gao Shen traveled through time, many people were asking, how did Real Madrid strike gold?

Or Sevilla, Monaco, Leicester City...

How do these clubs always find the right players?

When it comes to big data, scouting systems, and professional staff, top clubs don't lack any of that. They're not short on money either.

Take Barcelona, for example. They're drowning in debt but still burning through cash. How does that make sense?

Many criticize Manchester United's signings, but they probably don't know that United already has its own scouting network. Their database has videos and reports on thousands of players from around the world.

In 2019, Manchester United wanted a right-back. They searched their scouting system and found over 800 candidates. Despite all that data, they ended up signing Wan-Bissaka for £50 million.

It was ridiculous. Almost amateur.

This is one of the reasons why United is mocked as a "price-raising club."

It's not that they lack resources. They just don't know how to use them effectively.

That's unprofessional. Not precise enough.

And this is exactly the foundation Gao Shen wants to build for Leeds United.

He plans to run Leeds like a modern company—with professionalism and precision—so that this 90-year-old, decaying team can be completely reborn in his hands.

…

After the meeting, everyone got busy with their own tasks.

Gao Shen and Su Qing drove out of Leeds, heading west along the M62 motorway, back to Manchester.

After passing Bradford, they arrived at a small village called Elland.

They exited the motorway there, headed north, passed through Elland, and soon arrived in Halifax.

It was a small town, a bit bigger than Elland, but still quite modest.

Like every town in England, Halifax had its own football club—named after the town.

The club had just won the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football, and was promoted to the sixth-tier National League North.

Don't think just because it's called the "Northern League" and there's no Premier League involved that it's unimpressive.

In fact, reaching the sixth tier means you're officially in the English Football Association's national league structure. The seventh tier is still considered regional football.

Following the town's main road and the navigation system, they easily found Shay Stadium, the home ground of Halifax Town.

If Elland Road was considered modest, then this stadium looked downright shabby. It had only three stands and a narrow parking lot in front.

Clearly, not many fans drive here on matchdays.

So when Su Qing parked in an empty spot, she couldn't help but ask Gao Shen,

"Are you sure this is the place?" Her pretty face was full of doubt.

Gao Shen looked around from the passenger seat and nodded. "Looks right to me."

Su Qing pursed her lips. "Fine, I'll go in and take a look."

"This is your first time negotiating a transfer. I believe in you. Go for it!" Gao Shen encouraged her with a smile.

Su Qing rolled her eyes, got out of the car, and walked off.

Gao Shen sat in the car, bored, playing on his phone and wondering if he should post a tweet later.

On second thought, maybe not. Better to let Leeds United's official account post it first, then he could retweet it, drop a like, and build some buzz.

Yeah, that's better!

He immediately texted Fernando Lucas, who stayed back in Leeds, and the two started chatting.

Before long, he saw Su Qing returning, followed by a middle-aged Englishman who tried to walk her to the parking lot. She declined politely but still waved at him from the door, looking almost like a salesperson giving thanks to a client—very humble.

"That quick?" Gao Shen asked as she got in.

"There weren't many people inside. The club's owner also acts as the CEO, technical director, team leader, and receptionist. I just spoke to him directly," Su Qing said as she fastened her seatbelt.

"And?"

"I asked if they had a player named Jamie Vardy. He said yes and asked who I was. I told him I was the chairman's secretary from Leeds United."

Gao Shen chuckled, "Then what?"

By now, the car had pulled out of Shay Stadium.

"Then I just told him Vardy was playing well and that Leeds wanted to buy him. He was stunned, then started praising the kid—how talented he was, how many goals he scored, and so on."

Gao Shen nodded. "Classic salesperson behavior. Next, he'll probably try to sell you someone else too."

Su Qing laughed. "Right? But I wasn't interested. I just offered £80,000."

Gao Shen was stunned. He clearly remembered saying £150,000.

"He agreed?"

"Not right away. He haggled a bit. We settled at £100,000. So I pulled out the standard contract I'd prepared and signed an agreement. Done and dusted."

It had all taken less than ten minutes.

Gao Shen smiled wryly. Wasn't this a bit too casual for someone who would one day be an England international and Premier League Golden Boot winner?

Still, £100,000 was a massive deal for Halifax, who had just been promoted to the sixth tier.

But to be fair, Vardy had been excellent—26 goals in 33 games at the seventh-tier level.

By contrast, another local talent, Harry Maguire from Sheffield United's youth academy, hadn't been as lucky.

The 18-year-old made five appearances for Sheffield United in last season's Championship, four as a sub. One came after the team was basically doomed to relegation and morale was low.

Maguire's market value was £45,000, but Leeds United offered £100,000 to sign him.

Sheffield United, now relegated to League One, accepted.

From Keylor Navas to Harry Maguire, Gao Shen had to admit—it's really satisfying to pick up bargains from relegated second-tier teams.

Even players from newly promoted teams in the second tier can be scooped up for relatively low prices.

It's all about picking up bargains.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 750: Leeds United Is Interested in You

Before Gao Shen traveled through time, he once saw a question: Are Europe and the United States societies based on personal relationships?

At the time, he didn't fully understand it. He always thought it must be the same—after all, people are people. But without real experience, he had no right to speak on it.

Now, after so many years in European football, he can say with certainty: Yes!

Distance creates illusions. Often, misunderstandings stem from unfamiliarity and lack of firsthand knowledge.

Even in European football, a world filled with fame and fortune, human connections and personal relationships are deeply embedded.

Just look at Verona, the newly promoted Serie B team this season.

Back when Gao Shen was coaching Napoli in Serie B, Verona lost the relegation play-off and dropped to Serie C Group A.

They remained there for four years.

Last season, in Serie C Group A, after twelve rounds, Verona was in 13th place out of 18 teams, just two points above bottom-placed Pegnis. The situation was quite dire.

Feeling the pressure, Verona's management quickly hired Andrea Mandorlini to take charge and stabilize the team.

Mandorlini was a former professional footballer who had played for clubs like Ravenna, Torino, Atalanta, Ascoli, Inter Milan, and Udinese, including a seven-year stint at Inter.

After retiring, he transitioned into coaching. He first served as assistant coach at Ravenna for four years, then managed Vicenza, Atalanta, Bologna, Siena, Sassuolo, and others, though none of his stints were long.

After taking over at Verona, Mandorlini used his personal network during the winter break to bring in six or seven young players on loan from Serie A teams like Inter Milan, Roma, Atalanta, and Reggina.

One of them was Emmanuel Napoli, the captain of Inter Milan's U19 team.

Thanks to these winter reinforcements, Verona surged from near the bottom of the table to fifth place. They qualified for the Group A promotion play-offs, won, and successfully returned to Serie B.

After tasting success, the first thing Verona did upon returning to Serie B was contact Roma to loan Italy's new-generation striker Marco D'Alessandro, a promising young player who had advanced through all age groups of the national team.

Not only that, Mandorlini also targeted Atalanta's Croatian center forward, Bijelanovic. The transfer fee was projected to be as high as €700,000, making it Verona's most important summer signing.

So, let's ask—without a strong network, how could Verona have gone from the verge of third-tier relegation to Serie B in just six months?

…

Gao Shen didn't reach out to Verona directly. Instead, he contacted the veteran Italian coach Ventura.

Yes, the same Ventura who was "defeated" by Gao Shen and subsequently dismissed, which contributed to Verona's earlier relegation. In the future, he would even be praised by Lippi as the best coach in Italy.

Back when Gao Shen coached Napoli, he met Ventura at the Italian Football Federation. Ventura owed him a favor, so Gao Shen called him and asked him to negotiate with Verona.

Just two days later, Ventura called back.

It was done.

Jorginho, a midfielder with dual Italian and Brazilian citizenship, transferred from Verona to Leeds United for a fee of €100,000.

This 19-year-old midfielder had a rough time in Italy.

Back when he was in Brazil's youth training system, he had already fallen out of favor with the Brazilian youth teams. An Italian football agent spotted him and brought him to a training camp in Brazil that specialized in grooming players for Italian clubs. Out of fifty participants, after two to three years of training, he was sent to Italy and signed with Verona.

At the time, Verona was still in Serie B.

Last season, Jorginho was loaned out to fourth-tier side San Bonifacio, where he made 31 appearances, scored one goal, and registered zero assists—a poor showing for a midfielder.

He mostly played as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder, but the style of lower-division football didn't suit the slender Jorginho. The physicality, tactics, and overall system left him struggling to find form.

That's why his market value was only €80,000.

Verona, too, was at a loss about how to develop this young Brazilian. His strengths and weaknesses were obvious, but he didn't seem to fit into the Italian football style.

So, when Leeds United offered €100,000, and with Ventura mediating again, Verona—eager to fund the Bijelanovic deal—agreed.

…

Every morning when he woke up with the sun, Jamie Vardy would turn his head and see the blue and white striped jersey hanging on the wall.

It was Sheffield Wednesday's home kit.

"Three more levels to go." Vardy lay back, staring at the ceiling, muttering to himself.

Halifax had just been promoted to the sixth tier. Sheffield Wednesday were still in the third tier.

Vardy had come through the Sheffield Wednesday youth system, but at sixteen, due to his small frame and lack of outstanding ability, the club refused to offer him a professional contract. He left as a free agent.

At that moment, he thought: I don't want to play football anymore.

But, ironically, not long after being released, he shot up by 20 centimeters.

He returned to school to study physical education. After graduation, he got a job at a factory that made splints for foot drop patients. His role involved moving raw materials to the assembly line—lifting heavy items up and down hundreds of times daily. The work was physically draining.

Eventually, he returned to football.

Having come from a formal youth academy, he quickly made a name for himself on the amateur circuit. Stockbridge Park Steels scouted him and offered a part-time deal, two training sessions a week and £30 in wages.

The Superburger he liked cost four pounds apiece, but it was better than nothing.

While at Stockbridge, he once stood up for a hearing-impaired friend and got into a fight at a bar. He was sentenced to curfew and fitted with an electronic tag.

Fans of Stockbridge Park Steels still remember how he only played 60 minutes a game—then had to be subbed off and sprint home before 6 p.m.

Last year, he was scouted by seventh-tier Halifax for his excellent performances at Stockbridge.

The club was farther away, but the pay was decent.

So Vardy bought a car.

He trained Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 11 p.m. After clocking out at 4:30 p.m., he drove straight to training, then went home to sleep. Matches were on Saturdays.

It was a fulfilling routine.

He scored 26 goals in 33 games last season—an exceptional strike rate.

Finally, Halifax reached the sixth tier.

Vardy had taken another step toward his dream.

But it had been eight years.

His goal was to keep climbing, step by step, back to the point where he had once started his career.

Even though it looked incredibly difficult.

…

Get up, brush teeth, wash face, eat breakfast...

It was the same every day.

The league was on break, but he still had to go to work.

Although Halifax was now in the sixth tier, his salary still wasn't enough for Vardy to live on.

Just thinking about returning to that dull factory job made him feel miserable.

As he ate breakfast, his phone suddenly rang.

Caller ID: David Bosomworth.

"Hey, David, I don't have time to chat. I've got to get to work. Got a warm-up match? How much is the appearance fee? Let's settle the last few first. I'm so broke I'm about to sell myself, mate."

As soon as he picked up, Vardy started ranting.

Delayed payments and unpaid wages were common in the lower leagues.

But this time, something felt off. David Bosomworth sounded different.

"Jamie, calm down and listen to me."

"You're broke again? I've got no money either…"

"No, no, Jamie. Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't ask for your permission, but I think this is a great opportunity."

"What do you mean?"

"There's a club that wants to buy you."

"You agreed?"

"Yeah."

"I knew you were unreliable. Who is it?"

"Leeds."

"Damn, that's far. You know I've got work every day. I won't have time to get there after my shift. What, you expect me to quit and find another job?"

"Wait, how much did they pay for me?"

"£100,000."

"How much?" Vardy raised his voice.

"£100,000. Mate, that's a good price. We really need the money."

"No way. What teams are even in Leeds? Bradford City? No, they're poor too. Not much better than us. David, you need to be careful not to get scammed."

After years in non-league football, Vardy knew all the teams in the area.

But he had clearly forgotten the biggest one.

Not because he made a mistake. It just never crossed his mind.

To him, third-tier Sheffield Wednesday was already a dream. Never mind second-tier Leeds United.

And hadn't the news just reported that Leeds United was bought by Gao Shen, the world's top manager?

Would someone like that really be interested in a no-name like him playing in the seventh tier?

"No, Jamie, it's not Bradford. I said Leeds—Leeds United!"

Vardy froze. "You... you... who?"

"Leeds United! The one in the Championship. Jamie, Leeds United wants you!"

A surge of blood rushed to his head. Vardy felt his mind go blank.

"No... that's impossible."

"£100,000. The deal's done. The money's already paid."

Vardy was completely stunned. He couldn't say a word. He even forgot he had work.

"Jamie, you're going to play in the Championship soon. We all believe you'll make it as a pro. Keep going. And don't forget us when you make it. Oh, I also gave your contact to Leeds United. If you ever meet Gao Shen, remember to get his autograph for me. I'm a huge fan, alright?"

But at this moment, Vardy couldn't hear a single word.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 751: The Man Who Lost at the Starting Line

Sometimes, happiness comes too quickly and too suddenly, leaving people feeling helpless and even instinctively resistant.

The smarter and more rational a person is, the more cautious they become.

Vardy was just such a person.

From home to the factory, he was like a zombie—driving, clocking in, working on the assembly line, moving materials...

It was all routine work he did every day, now muscle memory.

But unlike usual, his mind was blank today.

He kept asking himself the same question over and over again: Even if a pie really fell from the sky, why would it land on me?

He thought about it repeatedly but couldn't figure it out.

It wasn't until he finished work at noon and was getting ready for lunch that a call from a stranger finally snapped him back to reality.

"Hello, Jamie, I'm Gao Shen."

The first words from the caller almost made Jamie Vardy drop his phone.

Gao Shen!

"Hello… Hello, Mr. Gao," Vardy replied with difficulty.

Just a few days ago, he had watched Gao Shen's Champions League final. It was electrifying. At the time, he had wondered what kind of player would be lucky enough to catch the eye of a manager like Gao Shen?

But he never imagined that a few days later, he'd be given such an opportunity.

Of course, not to play under Gao Shen directly, but to play for Gao Shen's team.

"I believe you already know that Leeds United has decided to sign you. Are you willing to play for Leeds United?"

"Yes, I… no… I… I'm very confused right now. I can't think straight." Vardy was flustered.

He'd never felt this nervous before. Not even when he confessed to his first love.

"It's alright. Take your time. Tell me what's on your mind," Gao Shen said with a smile over the phone.

Hearing that, Vardy took several deep breaths, slowly calming down enough to start thinking clearly.

"Mr. Gao, I don't understand… why?" Vardy asked the question that had been bugging him most.

He was just a part-time player in the seventh tier, not even full-time.

Why had Gao Shen picked him?

"A friend of mine watched your matches and recorded some footage for me. I think your ability stands out, whether it's at the seventh, sixth, or even fifth tier. I believe you can feel it yourself—your teammates and opponents can't keep up with your pace."

Vardy could feel that.

If he really wanted to, he could have scored even more goals.

But he couldn't. Lower-tier leagues were full of rough physical play. If you scored too many and rubbed opponents the wrong way, you never knew when a brutal tackle might come your way.

So, he held back.

It was a smart decision.

"I know there are plenty of players from professional academies in the lower leagues, many of them excellent. But you stand out from them. I see a different kind of light in you."

Vardy was flattered by Gao Shen's words, but he quickly remembered his own history.

When a person has been unlucky for too long, they begin to doubt whether they're still worthy of good fortune.

"You know, Mr. Gao, back when I was at Sheffield Wednesday, they said they couldn't see any light in me."

"Ha. Then they'll definitely regret it," Gao Shen replied confidently.

"I'm really not talented, Mr. Gao." Vardy still lacked confidence.

Sure, in the seventh tier, or at Halifax, he was definitely confident. But with Gao Shen, with Leeds United, he couldn't find that same self-assurance.

Because he understood the enormous gap between Halifax and Leeds United, a gap that would normally take years or even decades to close.

"Jamie, I've always believed that talent determines a player's ceiling, but hard work determines their floor."

Gao Shen spoke earnestly, "Honestly, your talent may not be enough to win the Ballon d'Or or FIFA Player of the Year. But your hard work will absolutely make you an incredible player."

"For example, starting striker in the Premier League. England international. I don't think that's a problem at all."

Vardy was stunned.

He even wondered if he'd misheard.

"Mr. Gao… are you… talking about me?"

"Of course. I'm really looking forward to the day you win the Premier League Golden Boot and lead Leeds United to the title."

"This… I…" Vardy was at a complete loss.

It was like someone with nothing being told they'd become the richest person in the world.

Who would believe that?

But it was Gao Shen saying it.

"I've heard your story, Jamie. You have a lot of bad habits that need to change, but the most valuable thing about you is your love for football. It's a pure kind of love, and your fighting spirit on the pitch."

"You know, I see a bit of Suarez in you. The two of you are very alike in that regard."

Vardy was speechless.

"Think carefully about what I've said, Jamie. You still have a lot of potential to tap into, and Leeds United and I want to help you catch up."

"Of course, the process of catching up will be painful. Jumping from the seventh tier straight to the Championship won't be easy. So I hope you'll think it over carefully. If you believe you can take on that challenge, then grab this opportunity!"

"Trust me, Jamie. It will change your life!"

…

Two days later.

Leeds United officially announced the signing of 24-year-old striker Jamie Vardy from Halifax for £100,000.

The news was posted on the club's official website and their newly created Twitter account.

At first, it drew little attention. But not long after it was posted, Gao Shen retweeted it and commented: "He is a man who lost at the starting line, but he will win at the finish line with hard work and sweat!"

Gao Shen's tweet immediately sparked massive reaction online.

Having just led Manchester City to a historic Treble and become the most celebrated active manager in football, Gao Shen's interaction with Leeds United seemed to confirm the rumors surrounding his involvement with the club.

Even if the media hadn't yet found evidence of his direct role in the club's management, it clearly showed a close connection.

Soon, the media began digging into just who Jamie Vardy was.

Halifax?

Even local fans in England barely knew the name. As the media looked deeper, people discovered it was a semi-professional team that had just been promoted from the seventh tier to the sixth.

Leeds United had actually gone to a semi-pro team to sign a player?

And he was a 24-year-old striker?

It was unbelievable.

But that wasn't the end.

Soon after, Leeds United's official Twitter account announced the signing of young defender Harry Maguire from Sheffield United for £100,000.

The 18-year-old had only made five appearances for Sheffield United, mostly as a substitute. The team had since been relegated to League One and was in disarray.

Gao Shen retweeted this post too, though without any comment.

Then, Leeds United officially announced the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian-Italian midfielder Jorginho from newly promoted Serie B side Verona for €100,000.

The young midfielder had only played one season in Italy's fourth tier. Aside from a single goal, he had no notable stats and was known for his slender frame.

Next came Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, signed from relegated Spanish Segunda side Albacete for €300,000.

If the first few transfers seemed underwhelming, Navas was at least a recognizable name. But he hadn't even been a starter at Albacete, which felt a bit underwhelming.

Media covering Leeds United started to notice that the club's transfers appeared extremely low-end.

All of the signings had transfer fees under seven figures, far from the wild spending spree many had expected following the club's rumored acquisition by Chinese capital and its ties to Gao Shen. More importantly, the signings were mostly from lower leagues and completely unremarkable.

Later, Leeds United announced the signing of Argentine striker Mauro Icardi from Barcelona for €270,000 and paid a €500,000 training compensation fee to sign full-back Héctor Bellerín, also from Barcelona.

Bellerín became Leeds United's most expensive signing of the summer.

Previously, the media hype around the rumored Chinese investment in Leeds United and its connection to Gao Shen had fueled great anticipation and excitement among fans.

Now, that excitement had turned into disappointment.

There was no massive spending spree, no splashy signings—just a string of obscure, low-cost deals.

Even the two players signed from Barcelona's youth system were minor transactions.

Without Gao Shen's involvement, these signings wouldn't have made the news.

Now, nobody could understand Leeds United's transfer strategy.

Many experts commented that, rather than signing unknown players from the lower leagues, it would have been better to spend the same amount to loan promising youth players from Premier League clubs.

After all, most of the best young talents in England are already in the academies of Premier League and Championship teams.

Expecting to find real gems in the lower leagues seemed unrealistic.

Players like Navas and Vardy—already not young and barely known—didn't look like they had much potential. To outsiders, it looked more like the new management at Leeds United simply had no money for signings.

"Fernando Lucas might be the best data analyst in the world, but clearly, he's not suited to running a club. You can see that from his transfer business. He's far too inexperienced!"

While the recruitment drive faced criticism, Leeds United was also under threat from poachers.

Most notably, Jonathan Howson, the second player favored by Lampard, had begun attracting increasing attention and interest from fans, with transfer offers already coming in.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 752: Degraded Bottom Picker

Morley, a town southwest of Leeds.

Jonathan Howson sat at home flipping through a fresh copy of the Yorkshire Post.

This is a newspaper with a history of over 250 years. It aims to be the Times of Yorkshire and holds significant influence in the region. It publishes 24 pages each day, with the sports section occupying two pages.

Recently, Leeds United has become the main feature on the Yorkshire Post's sports page.

The paper is split in its opinion of Leeds United's summer transfers.

One group believes that although the signings seem low-end, the investment is minimal. As long as even one player turns out to be a success, the profit would be significant. This cost-effective strategy fits Leeds United's current financial state.

But another group argues that Leeds United lacks ambition and drive, which is completely at odds with the bold promises made at the previous fan meeting. Right now, Leeds United simply doesn't have the financial muscle to bring in high-caliber players.

To say nothing else, just look at the transfer fees—none exceed seven figures. How strong can these players be?

Then, another news story broke today.

Leeds United's official website and Twitter simultaneously announced the signing of a 19-year-old Egyptian youth player, Mohamed Salah, from a club called Mokaulun for €200,000.

This kid began playing for Mokaulun at 17. In his first season, he made five appearances and registered one assist. In his second season, he played 24 games, scored five goals, and provided two assists.

That stat line looks decent on paper, but what is the actual level of the Egyptian Premier League?

Even more amusing, the ever-digging media quickly uncovered more details.

Do you know why Leeds United was able to sign Salah?

Because Mokaulun were relegated from the Egyptian Premier League.

Yes, Leeds United picked up yet another bargain from a relegated team. Absolutely outrageous.

And if you think Leeds United is stopping here, you're clearly too naive.

Leeds United also announced the signing of a player named Marcelo Brozović from Croatian club Zagreb for €300,000.

He's a product of Croatian youth training and a first-team player, but the problem is that Zagreb finished dead last in the Croatian First Division last season—16th out of 16—and were eight points behind the next-worst team.

Yes, that's right. Leeds United picked up another player from a relegated team.

From the UK to Spain, Italy, Egypt, and now Croatia...

It's like they're making a tour of the European and African continents!

The Yorkshire Post wryly commented, "Should we praise Leeds United for their scouting? Or for being so stingy?"

It's genuinely awkward.

You can't exactly say Leeds United's new team is incompetent. At the very least, they're excellent at exploiting relegated teams for bargains.

But in terms of ability, just look at these players. Do they really look like future stars?

Not to mention the general public—even Jonathan Howson, soon-to-be Leeds United captain, found it hard to stomach.

They picked up Maguire from a relegated Championship side. Fine, at least he's a local lad. Then they grabbed a goalkeeper from a relegated Spanish second-division team. Fine, he's Costa Rica's national team keeper.

But now they're reaching into Egypt and Croatia for players from relegated teams. Isn't that taking it too far?

And it didn't stop there.

The Yorkshire Post also reported that Leeds United had selected a 19-year-old named Sadio Mané from a group of Senegalese youth players at a training camp called Génération Foot in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

Mané's background is similar to that of Jorginho, who was brought in from Verona. Both players came up through youth training systems and thus cost very little.

In fact, the fee required to sign Mané is almost negligible.

But unlike Jorginho, who at least played in Italy, Mané only began formal training at age 15. He spent four years at the Génération Foot academy and has now been picked up by Leeds United.

Wow. Previously, at least they paid something for their bargains. Now they're getting players for free. Incredible!

Woodgate, Vardy, Jorginho, Navas, Maguire, Brozović, Mané, Salah, Icardi, Bellerín…

The Yorkshire Post listed the acquisitions: many players signed, but at what cost?

Just €1.87 million in total!

Totally absurd, right?

On average, that's less than €200,000 per player.

What's even funnier is that this group includes a washed-up veteran, a youth project with four years of training, two players from newly promoted teams in the lower leagues, and five from relegated teams. Of them all, only Bellerín—La Masia's rising star—could be considered top-tier talent, and he's only sixteen.

Even the Yorkshire Post couldn't help but ask a soul-searching question:

"Does Leeds United really intend to push for Premier League promotion with this squad?"

…

Putting down the Yorkshire Post, Jonathan Howson pulled out his phone and searched for more news.

It turned out that not only the Yorkshire Post, but other major British outlets that had been closely following Leeds United were equally puzzled. Some were even calling the club a professional-level scavenger for relegated team leftovers.

Why?

Because it's cheap!

But that also raises another problem: what hope does such a team really have?

Based on Howson's understanding—and the general consensus—Leeds United should be relying on Gao Shen's connections to loan talented youngsters from Premier League, La Liga, or Serie A sides. That's how they should make a quick push back to the top flight.

Instead, they were going around the globe hunting for bargains.

It was outrageous.

What kind of quality players could those relegated teams or lower-tier clubs really have?

Did they seriously think this squad could earn promotion?

Howson smiled bitterly, shook his head, and opened his contacts to find his agent's number.

He had recently changed agents to Paul Stretford, a well-known name in British football.

Stretford was not only Wayne Rooney's agent, but also represented Schmeichel. He had extensive connections. In fact, the idea to demand a £25,000 weekly salary from Leeds came from Stretford.

"Hello, Paul, it's me. Any updates?" Howson asked with concern.

He had authorized his agent to handle all transfer negotiations, especially with Premier League clubs.

"I've spoken to quite a few teams, and they're all interested in you. The problem is, Leeds United isn't open to talks. Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa have all submitted offers, but they were all rejected outright."

Howson frowned as he listened.

He desperately wanted to go to the Premier League.

If that desire was only an idea before, now it was a burning goal.

Because the media said Gao Shen believed he had the potential to become the next Lampard.

He had always seen himself as a unique talent, and now, Gao Shen's words had validated that belief.

Even a big-name agent like Paul Stretford had sought him out.

He didn't want to waste another season in the Championship, surrounded by players picked up from relegated teams.

He belonged in the Premier League, on a bigger stage, proving his worth, attracting more attention, and fighting for a spot in next year's London Olympics—and eventually, the national team.

That's the path he should take.

Not wasting time at Leeds United.

"Mike Rigg from QPR told me they offered £7 million, but Leeds turned it down flat. Now they're starting to hesitate," Stretford said.

"Why?" Howson asked, a little panicked.

Were they losing interest?

"Your market value is around £2 million, so £7 million is already a very high fee for a Championship player. Leeds rejecting that offer means one of two things: either they're waiting for a better bid, or they genuinely don't want to sell."

The former meant they were holding out for more money.

The latter meant Leeds genuinely wanted to keep their star player.

That was normal too—just like when United sold Cristiano Ronaldo, or when they renewed Rooney's contract. These things were rarely black and white. A price is offered, the player wants to leave, so a deal gets done.

"What can we do now?" Howson asked anxiously. "Is there anything I can do?"

"It's a bit tricky. Leeds holds all the leverage right now. But if you really want to leave, you can submit a written transfer request and publicly express your desire to move. That would put pressure on the club. Meanwhile, I'll stay in touch with teams like QPR and Norwich."

"Those two promoted teams are ambitious. I doubt they want this to drag on. But if a mid-table or top Premier League team jumps in, they'll miss their chance."

As a top Premier League agent, Stretford knew how the game worked.

A few million pounds is nothing if it buys the next Lampard. Mid-table Premier League sides would happily take the gamble.

There were already rumors that Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal, and Chelsea were monitoring Howson. If one of them got involved, QPR and Norwich would be out of luck.

"What do you think?" Howson asked.

"At your age, starting at a top club would be tough. I think it's better to join a smaller club, play in the Premier League, and prove yourself. Next year is the London Olympics. If you perform well there, I'll help you secure your next move."

"You're only 22. Time is still on your side. Better to play it safe."

Hearing this, Howson agreed that this path seemed more practical.

"Alright. I'll prepare the transfer request and you handle the media."

"Okay. I'll call Mike Rigg now and see if QPR can raise their bid a little. Hopefully, we can get this deal done soon."

After hanging up, Jonathan Howson's eyes were full of determination.

He had to go to the Premier League!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 753: Ferguson's Assist

"I want to play in the Premier League!"

When Jonathan Howson said this during an interview with The Daily Telegraph, his intention to leave Leeds United became abundantly clear.

At the same time, he remotely submitted an oral transfer request to Leeds United, hoping the club would start listening to offers from other teams instead of shutting the door on negotiations entirely.

This quickly stirred controversy in Leeds.

Many Leeds United fans were disappointed by Howson's stance. The club had already shown enough commitment to him.

To keep him, they had even sold last season's main central defender and former captain Naylor. And now he wanted to leave simply because the club didn't agree to a £25,000 weekly wage?

Was money really that important to him?

Jonathan Howson's agent, Paul Stretford, also gave an interview, publicly stating that his client had lost confidence in Leeds United's ambition to gain promotion and wanted to showcase himself on a bigger stage.

"He hopes to play in next year's Olympics and eventually make the national team!"

That reason was fair and understandable.

People seek higher ground, and water flows downhill.

But it was something else Stretford said that truly infuriated Leeds United fans.

"I hope Leeds United can consider the offers from other clubs with sincerity."

What did that mean?

Translated, it meant: We're desperate to leave. Please don't ask for too much money and block our transfer.

Of course, Leeds fans were furious.

You're encouraging our academy player and future captain to leave, and now you expect us to sell him cheap?

Is there such a thing in this world?

Leeds United CEO Fernando Lucas soon responded. He accepted an exclusive interview with the Yorkshire Post, during which he first addressed the team's summer transfer window and made it clear the work was still ongoing.

"We've seen that many in the media and our fans are focused on our recruitment, but I want to clarify that the players we've brought in so far are primarily young and developmental. They're not immediately ready to compete at the highest level."

Lucas explained that these players were intended to strengthen the club's future, especially the second team and U18 squad. At the same time, Leeds United was actively working with local academies and amateur clubs to scout talented young players and expand their youth ranks.

"When we took over, there were only eleven players between the reserve team and the U18s. That was not only in violation of regulations, but it went against Leeds United's long-standing commitment to youth development. So, we had to strengthen our youth system immediately."

Lucas stressed that this couldn't be fixed overnight.

The club's current focus was to build up the youth and reserve teams first.

"We're filling the historical gap."

Lucas's words were full of bitterness and realism.

Any fan who truly cared about Leeds United wouldn't deny that the club had been in shambles for years—both at the senior and youth levels.

When you inherit a mess, surely you need some time to clean it up?

At the end of the interview, Lucas expressed his high regard for Jonathan Howson, a national youth team midfielder.

"I've spoken with our new head coach, Sarri. He plans to build the midfield around Jonathan Howson. That's why we persuaded former captain Naylor to retire. But unfortunately, his agent has asked for a very high salary, which is something we'll need to discuss further."

Finally, Lucas confirmed that the club had not yet received a formal written transfer request from Howson. But he was confident they could convince him to stay.

"Yes, we have great confidence in him. He has the potential to become a player like Lampard."

…

Lucas's interview helped bridge the gap between management and the fans emotionally. He explained the club's current struggles while showing a clear vision for the future. Most importantly, fans could sense his determination to run the club properly.

As for Jonathan Howson, Lucas had one consistent message.

Not for sale! He will stay at Leeds United!

This stance only reinforced the belief that Leeds United was determined to hold onto their young midfield star, and that Howson had real value.

After all, even in the Championship, the pressure was intense. And Howson had delivered a double-double performance.

That kind of stat speaks louder than anything.

Lucas also confirmed that many Premier League teams were paying attention to him, prompting further investigation by the media.

Soon, reporters found Mark Hughes, head coach of newly promoted Queens Park Rangers.

The former Manchester City boss publicly stated that he was optimistic about Howson's future and was pushing the club to raise their offer to land the future England international midfielder.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean also admitted he was monitoring Howson, though he claimed the transfer details were being handled by the club and he wasn't directly involved.

Aston Villa head coach Alex McLeish expressed admiration for Howson, saying he was a very promising attacking midfielder who could thrive in the Premier League.

McLeish also revealed his interest in Manchester City's Stephen Ireland, though that transfer was expected to cost more than eight figures. Ireland was one of the rare technically-gifted English midfielders.

Outside Old Trafford, a reporter caught up with Sir Alex Ferguson, who had just finished a meeting. They asked about Manchester United's summer transfer window and, by chance, about Jonathan Howson.

"I know this young man. He's done very well in the Championship. I think he's very similar to Lampard, and I believe he has a bright future."

With multiple Premier League clubs now showing interest in Howson, Ferguson's public praise only added fuel to the fire.

Gao Shen's earlier praise was reported secondhand. But now Ferguson was complimenting him directly. Could there be any higher recognition?

Some media even speculated that Manchester United were preparing to make a move.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Howson's formal written transfer request was submitted to the club.

As he left Elland Road, the local academy graduate was interviewed by a Yorkshire Post reporter and said that he made the decision after careful thought.

But many fans booed him on the spot.

Three days later, Leeds United officially announced that, despite the club's best efforts to keep him, Jonathan Howson had chosen to leave and had completed a transfer to Queens Park Rangers for a record £10 million fee.

In West London, QPR and their fans celebrated wildly. They had finally landed the "next Lampard!"

The following day, Leeds United announced that they had purchased the rights to Corinthians midfielder Paulinho, a 23-year-old, from Brazilian investment group Cobuyingla for €1.5 million.

Although Paulinho was well-known in Brazil, he had not yet been capped by the national team. Leeds United said they would apply for a work permit under special exemption rules.

At the same time, Leeds United acquired 20-year-old midfielder Allan Marques Loureiro, who had been on loan at Vasco da Gama, from Uruguayan club Maldonado for €500,000.

Like Paulinho, this was another case of third-party ownership. The player had been loaned back to Brazil before being signed.

…

During this time, Gao Shen remained at his home in Wetherby, north of Leeds, overseeing everything remotely.

He was very satisfied with Fernando Lucas's first major operation.

As a top economics graduate, capital maneuvering was Lucas's forte.

More importantly, by selling Jonathan Howson at such a high price, Leeds United fans were able to accept the outcome, especially since the player had personally asked to leave. As long as the team performs well in the future, fans would quickly forget about him.

As for Howson, Gao Shen didn't remember him ever doing anything particularly outstanding.

What?

The future Lampard handpicked by Gao Shen?

He couldn't recall ever saying that.

That must've been the media twisting things!

The media these days have no moral standards!

But now, a bigger problem had arisen.

In the midst of bargain hunting, he had overlooked the matter of work permits.

Paulinho was ready to contribute and came from Brazil. He had even played with Ronaldo. With Bernstein—an old friend—now chairman of the FA, it shouldn't be too difficult to get him approved.

But Mané, Salah, and Brozović also required work permits. That would be a bit tricky.

Fortunately, players like Allan had Portuguese nationality, Navas had sufficient international appearances, and Jorginho held Italian citizenship. So there were no issues there.

"Looks like I'll need to make a trip to London to have dinner with Bernstein," Gao Shen said cheerfully.

A happy kind of problem.

This sort of thing is best handled quietly, with as little attention as possible.

Thinking this through, Gao Shen glanced up at Fernando Lucas, who was seated across from him with an eager, hopeful look. He could already guess what his old friend was thinking.

"Jonathan Howson's deal was very well done. Great job. Keep it up with the next few," Gao Shen praised.

Lucas let out a relieved breath.

It was his first test since taking office, and getting praised like that left him reassured.

"Sarri has called me several times. You promised him a strong center forward, and now…"

Vardy came from the seventh tier, so it was unrealistic to expect immediate impact. Icardi was good, but not a traditional target man. Mané and Salah were still young and needed more games to develop.

Tottenham were very interested in Kasper Schmeichel. Spurs needed a goalkeeper, and Gao Shen was asking them to swap Harry Kane plus some cash. Kane's market value wasn't as high as Schmeichel's at the moment, and Tottenham had yet to respond.

But even if Kane came, he wouldn't be ready to make an impact immediately.

No wonder Sarri was getting anxious.

"Tell him to wait a little longer. The solution's on the way," Gao Shen said with a smile.

"I have to treat Ferguson to a meal, thank him for his huge assist, and while I'm at it, wrap up the Pogba situation."

(To be continued.)