SWR: Chapter 533/534

Chapter 533: Sky-High Price

Gao Shen lay on the soft bed, the light, elegant fragrance close at hand unmistakably belonging to Su Qing.

At this moment, she was panting, her entire body draped over him, her head resting against his chest as if listening to his heartbeat. Her posture was lazy yet captivating.

After Gao Shen returned from the Middle East, she knew they would soon be separated again.

Back when he was coaching in Serie A, he still had a winter break. Now, in the Premier League, even that was gone.

From now on, the only time she could see him was during her vacations when she flew to England.

With their separation approaching, she had been especially clingy.

Only in moments like this could Gao Shen see a completely different side of Su Qing, one that belonged entirely to him.

…

"You work in the ministry, and I invest on the outside. There shouldn't be any major issues, right?" Gao Shen asked with concern.

Su Qing was too lazy to move. She simply reached out, found his hand, and intertwined her fingers with his.

"What could possibly happen? I already asked my boss. He said it's fine, it's your own money anyway."

"That's good," Gao Shen nodded. "There's probably going to be more than 300 million coming into the account soon. When the time comes, help me figure out how to handle the taxes properly."

"So much money?" Su Qing was shocked, sitting up straight in surprise.

Gao Shen's eyes widened as he stared at her, quickly pulling her back into his arms. His hands began to wander again.

She already knew that Gao Shen received 20% of the transfer fees when Napoli sold players, but she never expected the amount to be this high.

More than 300 million!

Oh my god, how much money is that?

"This is nothing. Napoli will keep selling players, and I'll keep getting my cut." Gao Shen chuckled.

Winning the Champions League, along with Serie A and the Coppa Italia, the first treble in Italian history had put Napoli in the spotlight. Naturally, the value of their players skyrocketed.

Gao Shen never expected that Sánchez and Di María could each fetch 50 million euros.

But if you think about it, Ronaldo was sold for 100 million euros, Kaka for 65 million. Is 50 million each for Sánchez and Di María really that outrageous?

Besides, these two weren't just talented, they had already proven themselves at the highest level. And they were both still in their early twenties.

What do you call that?

Genius!

Even Benzema, who had only shined in Ligue 1, was sold for over 30 million euros. Is it really expensive to sell two starting wingers, who had just won the Champions League for 50 million?

Of course, in the current market, these were already high prices. It would be difficult to push them any further.

If he waited a few more years, Manchester United would inevitably step in to inflate the market again. The way player valuations kept rising…

It really wasn't the right time!

…

"I'm thinking of handing over all my bank accounts, stocks, and assets to you. What do you think?" Gao Shen suddenly said.

Su Qing was taken aback. She propped herself up and looked at him. "Why?"

Seeing her reaction, Gao Shen immediately pulled her back into his arms, his hand tracing along her smooth, jade-like back. "I just don't want to be distracted by these things. I feel at ease letting you handle it."

Su Qing was silent for a moment, then looked up at him. "Aren't you afraid I'll run off with the money?"

"Then run away." Gao Shen chuckled. "But do you really think it's worth it? Leaving behind a gold mine like me just to run off with a small amount of money?"

Su Qing giggled, playfully smacking him twice. But deep down, she was touched.

She knew that if he didn't fully trust her, he would never hand over all his assets.

"Let's get married!" Su Qing suddenly said.

"Huh?" Gao Shen was caught off guard.

Su Qing's eyes were slightly red. "I'm moved. I want to marry you!"

Gao Shen was delighted. Just like that?

But he wasn't in a hurry to get the marriage certificate.

It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he needed to find the right time.

Silence fell between them. For a moment, they simply enjoyed the warmth of each other's presence.

"You know what? Only when I'm with you do I feel completely relaxed," Gao Shen murmured.

"Ever since I started coaching Real Madrid, I've always felt like someone was behind me, holding a gun to my head, forcing me to keep running forward. The faster, the farther—the better.

"Sometimes, I feel exhausted and just want to stop and rest, but I can't. Sometimes, I want to slow down and take in the scenery, but I can't do that either. Sometimes, I don't even want to run anymore, I just want to go back. But I can't…

"I can only keep running, without knowing how long I can last or when I'll reach the finish line. Sometimes, I even wonder if I'll have to keep running until the day I retire."

Gao Shen had never said these words to anyone before not even Zidane or Guardiola.

As a head coach, anyone on the team could say they were tired or wanted to give up except him. Because he was the leader.

If Gao Shen gave up, the entire team would collapse.

So he could only keep running. Just keep running…

"That sounds like a midlife crisis." Su Qing chuckled, breaking his train of thought.

Gao Shen reached out and lightly patted her back in retaliation.

He knew she didn't want him to dwell on such negative emotions.

"Actually, I understand. People have to keep pushing forward, right? Isn't there a saying, 'Life is like a train headed for the grave—you never stop at any station, and you never get off'?"


Su Qing was silent for a moment before saying, "I think you should get some proper rest."

Gao Shen shook his head. "No, I'm not that fragile. To be honest, I enjoy the struggle, especially when I can defeat so many opponents. It excites me. It's just that sometimes, out of nowhere, I feel exhausted. But as long as I see you, as long as I'm with you, I feel relaxed, and all the fatigue disappears."

"Why do you make me sound like a can of Red Bull?" Su Qing scolded playfully.

"Red Bull? Then I have to try it and see if it tastes right."

With that, Gao Shen flipped over and pressed her down.

The two immediately started wrestling around again.

…

The most touching part of a long-distance relationship is the joy of reuniting after a long separation.

But before that, one must endure the pain of parting.

When Gao Shen returned to Europe, his parents were in Chile, while Su Zhijun and his wife were in Shanghai. He called them separately.

Only Su Qing took special leave to see him off at the airport.

Along the way, she tried her best to suppress her sadness, pretending nothing was wrong. But just as Gao Shen was about to enter the terminal, she could no longer hold back. She called out to him, tears streaming down her face, and rushed over to hug him tightly.

But Su Qing had always been someone who quickly regained her composure. After just a few moments, she sobbed lightly, pulled away from his embrace, and wiped her tears.

"When you land, no matter how late it is, call me. I'll be waiting."

Gao Shen smiled and nodded. "And you, save up as much vacation time as possible and come visit me when you can."

"Okay," Su Qing nodded.

Her next break would be the National Day holiday, which was still over three months away.

Gao Shen turned and walked inside, while Su Qing remained standing there. No one knew how long she stayed.

Sometimes, Gao Shen wondered, if he insisted, would Su Qing be willing to quit her job in China and move to Europe to be with him?

But making himself happy at her expense would be unfair.

Gao Shen derived immense satisfaction and achievement from coaching. But should Su Qing have to give up her own career to stay home, take care of him, and raise children? Couldn't she have her own ambitions?

If the day ever came when she wanted to stop working, he would support her. But as long as she still had passion for her job, he would continue to support her, because he knew she genuinely enjoyed it and found fulfillment in it—just as he did with football.

As for long-distance relationships?

They had made it work all these years.

…

Gao Shen took an Emirates flight to Dubai. After meeting with Mubarak there, he continued on to London to reunite with his coaching staff.

The wealthy Middle Eastern investors were generous, booking him a first-class ticket, which spared him a great deal of travel fatigue.

While he was in the air, the European transfer market had significant new developments.

The two football giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid, had outbid numerous competitors to secure two star wingers from Napoli—Alexis Sánchez and Ángel Di María—each for a staggering €50 million.

With Thierry Henry aging, Sánchez, who could play on both wings as well as centrally, was seen as a crucial reinforcement for Barcelona's attack.

Di María, capable of operating on either flank, was expected to complement Cristiano Ronaldo perfectly. The Argentine would become the Portuguese superstar's ideal wing partner, forming one of the most lethal wide duos in world football.

At the same time, Real Madrid announced another blockbuster signing—French forward Karim Benzema from Lyon, secured for a hefty €35 million.

The entire European football world was stunned.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema, and Di María—Real Madrid had assembled four superstars in one window, forming an attacking lineup that left the rest of Europe envious. Though the spending was astronomical, it was seen as money well spent.

Not to be outdone, Barcelona had their own formidable offensive combination—Messi, Henry, Eto'o, and Sánchez—equally terrifying and by no means inferior to Madrid's.

More importantly, after securing Sánchez, Pep Guardiola set his sights on another Napoli star.

He wanted Thiago Motta.

The Brazilian-born midfielder had come through La Masia, and now, Guardiola was eager to bring him back to Barcelona.

According to the latest report from Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona had even made an eye-watering €50 million offer for Thiago Motta!

An absolutely staggering figure!

As soon as Gao Shen landed in London and heard the news, he immediately picked up his phone and called Thiago Motta.

Chapter 534: Plan C

"How did it go?"

As soon as Gao Shen put down the phone, Mubarak, Brian Kidd, Wood, Carlo, Lucas, and the others in his hotel room all looked at him expectantly.

The No. 4 position—anyone with even a basic understanding of football knew how crucial it was.

Simply put, when a No. 4 pushed forward, he contributed to build-up play and distribution; when he dropped back, he could act as a center-back; and when positioned as a defensive midfielder, he became a shield in front of the backline.

It wasn't a role just anyone could play well.

More importantly, this was the Premier League.

If you wanted to be a No. 4 in the Premier League, exceptional physicality was a must.

Take Busquets, for example—Gao Shen seriously doubted how he would fare in England. He could already imagine him hitting the ground every game, covering his face while peeking through his fingers.

Thiago Motta was truly an outstanding No. 4, arguably the best one Gao Shen could think of. He was more suitable than Yaya Touré, Busquets, Xabi Alonso, or anyone else.

But…

"He wants to go back to Barcelona," Gao Shen said helplessly.

Sometimes, he felt this was what being a "top club" really meant.

Piqué, Fàbregas, Thiago Motta—one after another, Barcelona academy graduates who, no matter how successful they were elsewhere, always longed to return.

And it wasn't just Barcelona.

If you asked Callejón and Parejo at Napoli whether they wanted to go back to Real Madrid, their answer would be a resounding yes.

"This is a problem," Carlo said with a frown. "If Thiago Motta returns to Barcelona, what do we do about the No. 4 role? Who do we bring in?"

"What about Mascherano from Liverpool?" Brian Kidd suggested. "He's a solid defensive midfielder. While he's known for his tackling and aggression, his passing is decent, and he has some playmaking ability."

Mascherano's market value was already at €25 million. If they wanted to pry him away from Liverpool, they'd likely have to pay at least €40 million. Otherwise, Benítez wouldn't even consider it—especially since Liverpool had just let Xabi Alonso go and replaced him with Biglia. There was no way Benítez would let Mascherano leave as well.

"So it's unlikely," Carlo concluded. "And he's a bit short, which could be a problem if we need him to play as a center-back."

The No. 4 role offered the flexibility to function as both a defensive midfielder and a central defender. That versatility was crucial.

When both full-backs pushed forward, the No. 4 would drop into the backline, essentially forming a three-man defense.

"Right now, there are very few top-quality defensive midfielders in Europe who also excel in passing," Brian Kidd admitted. "That's why Barcelona is willing to pay so much for Thiago Motta."

"What about Yaya Touré?" Carlo proposed.

Hearing this, Lucas laughed. "He's our Plan C."

"What do you mean?" Carlo was puzzled.

If Thiago Motta was Plan A, and Yaya Touré was Plan C… then who was Plan B?

"Yaya Touré's situation is complicated," Gao Shen explained. "His role at Barcelona is already uncertain, and with Thiago Motta returning, his playing time will only decrease. He may even be forced out."

He paused before continuing, "But the Ivorian midfielder is proud. His playing style is more suited to a double-pivot midfield than a pure No. 4 role. Of course, he could play as a No. 4, but…"

Gao Shen smiled. "If we approach him directly, he won't be too eager to listen."

Everyone immediately understood.

Gao Shen's plan was to let Yaya Touré reach out to Manchester City himself.

If he wanted to leave Barcelona, his agent would start shopping him around. And in Europe, there were only a handful of clubs that could afford his transfer fee and wages. Where else could he go?

"I have a better option," Gao Shen said. "Just keep an eye on Yaya Touré's situation." He looked at Lucas for confirmation.

Brian Kidd, Ma Wood, and the others—who were working with Gao Shen for the first time—were genuinely curious.

A better option than Yaya Touré?

Who could it be?

But Gao Shen didn't elaborate. Instead, he shifted the conversation.

"Get in touch with Napoli immediately and finalize Rakitic. I want him in our Manchester City squad for the new season—ASAP!"

Across European football, the scramble for Napoli's players was already in full swing.

Reports suggested that Manchester United and Juventus were also targeting Rakitic. If they moved too late, someone else might swoop in.

The idea of losing a player he had personally developed without ever getting the chance to utilize him only to see him strengthen a rival was infuriating.

Mubarak, Kidd, and Wood all nodded.

"We'll handle it right away," Kidd assured him.

"How's the Neymar situation?" Gao Shen asked.

If he hadn't brought it up, no one would have mentioned it. But now that he did, Kidd and Wood's expressions changed.

"We contacted Santos first," Kidd explained. "As soon as they heard we were interested, they immediately welcomed the idea. But then we spoke to Neymar's father, guess what price he asked for?" He shook his head in frustration.

Gao Shen had already mentally prepared himself. "How much?"

"€20 million, as a signing bonus. And on top of that, he wants us to agree to a whole list of conditions, including guarantees on Neymar's role in the squad, a detailed development plan, and 30% of any future transfer fee."

"Is he insane?" Lucas was stunned.

Gao Shen shot him a glance, signaling him to stay calm. Then he nodded. "Not surprising. He's always been like this."

Kidd and the others looked at him in surprise.

"You know him?"

"I don't know him personally, but I've heard about him." Gao Shen quickly covered up.

He couldn't exactly explain that, in another timeline, Neymar's father had played Barcelona and Real Madrid against each other, causing chaos that led to legal trouble for Barcelona's president.

When Neymar joined Barcelona, everyone assumed he had gotten what he wanted and would now focus on playing for one of the world's biggest clubs.

But then he turned around and moved to Paris Saint-Germain—for a staggering €220 million, the highest transfer fee in history. An absolutely insane number.

Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid for nearly €100 million already seemed outrageous.

If Gao Shen told people that in eight years, Neymar would move to Ligue 1 for an astronomical €220 million, they would be utterly shocked.

It wasn't just the price—it was the fact that he left for Ligue 1.

In the end, Neymar made a fortune but sacrificed his career.

People are like that sometimes, you can't have everything.

If you choose money, you have to accept the price that comes with it.

The funniest part? Many people, after making their money, start chasing after the things they once gave up.

Gao Shen didn't know if Neymar would regret choosing PSG, but he was certain that from the moment he made that decision, countless fans who admired him would feel disappointed.

He could have aimed higher but he gave it all up.

"It's fine. I was prepared for this. If Neymar doesn't come, it's his loss," Gao Shen said with a relaxed smile.

He never relied on just one plan. He always made sure to have a backup, sometimes even double insurance.

What else could you expect from a picky Virgo?

…

Five key players—Valencia, Santacroce, Di María, Biglia, and Thiago Motta—had all left Napoli, bringing in massive transfer fees but also sparking concern from fans and media.

Under intense pressure, club owner De Laurentiis and sporting director Marino personally announced Napoli's stadium renovation plans. They promised a significant investment to upgrade the San Paolo Stadium, which would substantially boost matchday revenue.

At the same time, Napoli officially confirmed a contract renewal with Cavani.

With Di María and Sánchez gone, two-thirds of their attacking trident keeping Cavani was essential.

Even after these departures, Napoli's forward line remained strong.

With Cavani, Callejón, Pellè, Mertens, and the young Insigne, they still had plenty of firepower up front.

Their midfield was just as impressive. Even after losing Biglia and Thiago Motta, they still had Vidal, Hamsík, Nainggolan, Parejo, and Pastore not to mention the rising star Verratti.

That's when people started to realize: Gao Shen had truly left a treasure trove for Napoli.

They had sold players for €165 million, yet the team was still incredibly competitive.

Just as everyone was marveling at this, Gazzetta dello Sport broke a major story.

Manchester City's technical director Brian Kidd and chairman's advisor had personally traveled to Naples for negotiations. In the end, they successfully signed two of Gao Shen's handpicked targets from Napoli.

Rakitic and David Luiz both joined Manchester City for a combined fee of €80 million, each costing €40 million.

A huge investment.

The report also revealed that a key reason behind their transfers was Gao Shen's imminent appointment at Manchester City. Both players wanted to continue working under their trusted mentor in the Premier League.

With these two additional sales, Napoli's transfer revenue skyrocketed to an eye-watering €245 million—an absolutely staggering figure.

All of Italy, and even the whole of Europe, was stunned by Napoli's record-breaking sales.

But what was even more shocking was that, despite selling so many key players, the team still remained highly competitive. That was the biggest surprise of all.

After arriving in England, Gao Shen first made a discreet visit to Manchester.

He inspected Manchester City's Carrington training base and the City of Manchester Stadium, offering his own recommendations for upgrades and renovations.

Then, accompanied by Brian Kidd and Lucas, he left England.

Their first stop?

France.