Football feast, starting from the acquisition of European clubs

Chapter 225 The Power of the International Champions Cup
"U.S?"

Tom Hicks and George Gillette looked at each other, a little moved, but a little hesitant.

As Americans, after the two of them decided to invest in football, the first consideration must be their own country.

However, after carefully examining the situation of the teams in the Major League Soccer, they found that the situation is not optimistic.

Although there are data showing that more and more young Americans like football.But among the adults who are the main consumers, football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey are the more popular sports.

As a result, most Major League Soccer teams don't make money.

Some teams were forced to disband because of poor management.

That's why Tom Hicks and George Gillette were stimulated by the Glazer family's acquisition of the Manchester United club and went to the UK to acquire the Premier League club.

Now, the Chinese actually wants them to return to the United States to start a football club, which is completely opposite to their purpose of coming to the UK.

However, Chen Ran's Galaxy Football Group plan is really attractive, and Tom Hicks and George Gillette do not want to give up.

"Mr. Chen, why don't we buy another club in the UK to join the Galaxy Football Group?"

George Gillette asked a standard football layman's question.

"Well, neither the FA nor UEFA will allow this. UEFA's regulations are very clear. Teams with the same shareholders cannot participate in the same level of competition."

Chen Ran was also surprised by the level of noobs in this question.

"That's right. If only Tom and I funded the acquisition, wouldn't we be able to circumvent this regulation?"

George Gillette had a beautiful idea, perhaps this was his real purpose.

"Mr. Gillette, if the team you buy does not have my shares, then it is a direct competitor of Crystal Palace Club. In this case, how can I let this team join the Galaxy Football Group?"

Hehe, it seems that these Americans are not ignorant of the rules, but they just want to use the resources of the Galaxy Football Group, but they can't allow themselves to invest in the shares. Sure enough, none of them are fuel-efficient.

Seeing that Chen Ran flatly rejected their proposals, Tom Hicks and George Gillette looked at each other again.

"Mr. Chen, frankly speaking, we are very interested in your Galaxy Football Group project. But because it is too different from our previous plan, we need some time to think it over."

This time it was Tom Hicks who stood up to speak again. It seems that the two Americans have a clear division of labor, one singing the red face and the other singing the bad face.

"Of course, this is a matter of course. But I need to remind you that in the current plan of the Galaxy Football Group, the same country will only have one team."

"So, if someone else talks to me about building a team in the U.S. first, you don't have a chance."

Before ending the negotiation, Chen Ran slightly increased the pressure on the two Americans.

While Chen Ran was negotiating with the two Americans, a big discussion related to Chen Ran was also going on at the Manchester United Club in Manchester.

"Gentlemen, today's meeting is held mainly because of an invitation letter sent by the Crystal Palace Club. They plan to invite four teams including us to play a few friendly matches in the United States."

"In short, it is to go to the United States to make money. According to the introduction on the invitation letter, this event adopts a single round-robin competition system. Each team only needs to play three games, and then allocate appearance fees according to the results of the games. Even the results The worst last place can also get an income of 500 million euros."

The one who spoke was David Gill, the CEO of the Manchester United Club. Besides the head coach Ferguson, there were also the current owner of the Manchester United Club, Malcolm Glazer, and his two sons, Afford, who is also a director of the Manchester United Club. Ram Glazer and Joel Glazer.

If this kind of thing was put in the past, it only needs to be discussed by David Gill and Ferguson.

However, since the Glazer family took over Manchester United, all matters related to money must be approved by these Americans.

"Huh? It seems that the Huaguo in Crystal Palace is pretty good. If he has the opportunity to make money, he can think about bringing us with him. It's interesting."

Hearing that the team would earn at least 500 million euros if they made a trip to the United States, Avram Glazer was immediately in a good mood.

No way, outsiders don't know, in fact, the current Glazer family is burdened with heavy debts and the pressure is enormous.

Although these debts were passed on to the Manchester United club by them, since the rise of Crystal Palace in the past two years, Manchester United has not won any decent championships.

Whether it is the Premier League or the Champions League, Manchester United has no results.

This also makes the Manchester United club's profit far lower than the Glazer family expected.

If they can't repay the loan on time, the Manchester United shares in their hands will no longer be named Glazer.

Now hearing that as long as you play three games, you can make a lot of money, how can this not make the three Glazers excited.

"Ahem, Mr. Glazer, 500 million euros for three games. For Manchester United, this price is not high."

Seeing the happy faces of these Americans, David Gill secretly curled his lips in his heart. Manchester United fell into the hands of these Americans who swollen their faces and made them fat. It is estimated that life will be difficult in the future.

"Haha, David, didn't you say that 500 million euros is just the lowest price. When the time comes, let's ask the players to be more serious in the competition and come back with a championship. Wouldn't the appearance fee be more?"

David Gill's words did not affect the good mood of the three Glazers at all.

For them, what they say now is false, and the most important thing is to have cash in the account.

"Sir Ferguson, we must attend this invitation from Crystal Palace. Do you have any comments?"

Fortunately, the old Glazer is not as frivolous as his two sons, remember to ask for Ferguson's opinion.

"Mr. Malcolm, I have no objection to participating in this friendly match. However, during the summer transfer, we must introduce a capable player to replace the vacancy left by Roy Keane. This matter cannot be delayed any longer. "

Ferguson is not a fuel-efficient lamp, so he took the opportunity to make his own request.

"This Sir Ferguson, you know, Manchester United has no money now."

Old Glazer spread his hands, as if he wanted money or his life.

Seeing Old Glazer's rogue look, the corners of Ferguson's mouth couldn't help twitching slightly.

Damn, who caused Manchester United to have no money?Who took all the money and took it to repay the loan?
"Mr. Malcolm, won't we have money to participate in the friendly match this time?"

Good guy, this Ferguson was waiting here, Old Glazer narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Sir Ferguson, I need this money urgently. I really can't let you use it to buy players. You should find another way."

In order to avoid Ferguson's continued entanglement, the old Glazer simply acted like a rogue. I just don't pay, what can you do?
Seeing the old Glazer playing a rascal without any regard for his demeanor in spite of his age, Ferguson blushed with anger, took several deep breaths, and then forcibly suppressed his anger.

"Mr. Malcolm, you also know how much money a team can earn is closely related to its achievements."

"Manchester United have not won any decent championships in the past two years. If this continues, the club's income will only decrease. I think you don't want to see this situation, Mr. Malcolm."

Hearing Ferguson talk about his most concerned income issue, Old Glazer sat up straight and looked at Ferguson seriously.

"Sir Ferguson, I understand what you said. But if I can't repay the loan on time, the Manchester United shares in my hand will belong to someone else. Does it matter to me whether Manchester United can win the championship?"

Old Glazer's words were extremely realistic and bitingly cold, leaving Ferguson speechless for a moment.

"Okay, Sir Alex Ferguson, I know you are also thinking about Manchester United. Well, you can sell some players you don't need, and then use the money to bring in the players you need. I promise not to spend this money The idea, are you satisfied now?"

Old Glazer has been in the shopping mall for so many years, what scene has he not seen?

Dealing with Ferguson, a football coach, was handled with ease.

If it weren't for the need to keep Ferguson to appease the fans, the old Glazer would have kicked him out long ago.No matter how long he stayed at Manchester United, he was nothing more than a stinky part-timer.

Now hit a stick first and then give a sweet date. This is a warning to Ferguson not to be shameless.

After deciding to participate in the International Champions Cup, the old Glazer took his two sons and prepared to leave.

Before going out, he turned his head and looked at David Jill who was pretending to be dead.

"David, you have to remember that for Manchester United, the championship is very important. But making money is more important. Understand?"

"Understood, Mr. Malcolm."

"very good."

Silence, deathly silence.

After the three Glazers left, it seemed like there was no one in the room.

"Alex, are you okay?"

Seeing Ferguson sitting motionless on the sofa, David Gill asked with some concern.

"I am fine."

Ferguson shook his head, "David, what they said just now was not just for you, but also for me."

Ferguson is now more and more regretting the introduction of the Glazer family to Manchester United, but the matter has come to this point, and he can only accept it with gritted teeth.

Only oneself will bear the sins of oneself.

"Okay, David, let's discuss the transfer."

"Alex, which player do you want to bring in?"

"Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Michael Carrick."

"Tottenham Hotspur? Alex, Daniel Levi is not easy to deal with. If we want to buy someone from him, I'm afraid he will kill him severely."

"I know, but Carrick is probably the most likely candidate to buy at the moment. In fact, I prefer the midfielders in the Crystal Palace team, whether it is Yaya Toure or Mascherano. However, it is obviously impossible for that Chinese man to sell it to us."

"But, Alex, I have to remind you that all the money in our account has been withdrawn by the Glazer family."

"It's okay, didn't they just say that? You can use the money from selling players to sign in. Tell me, have any clubs taken a fancy to our players recently?"

"Alex, are you really going to sell the player?"

David Gill looked at Ferguson in astonishment, it seemed that the old man was really cornered.

"Otherwise, what should we do? Now Manchester United does not have a good midfielder in the middle. This is a huge loophole. If this problem is not resolved, any championship has nothing to do with us."

"Understood. In fact, some people really like our players, but I don't think you will agree."

"Who are you looking at? It won't be our main player, right?"

"Alex, do you think it's possible for Real Madrid to see our substitute?"

David Gill looked at Ferguson with a wry smile on his face. The last Manchester United player bought by Real Madrid was David Beckham, the head star at that time.

"Real Madrid? Who are they looking at?"

"Van Nistelrooy."

"Luther."

Seeing that Ferguson didn't refuse on the spot, but fell into deep thought, David Gill was startled. The old man didn't really intend to sell the team's main center, did he?
"David, Luther, are you 30 years old this year?"

"Yes. Alex, are you really going to sell Van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid?"

"As he gets older, Luther's injuries have begun to increase. Another point, don't forget that Luther was seriously injured back then."

Although Ferguson didn't say the conclusion directly, David Gill already understood what he meant.

"Okay, Alex, I will try to get as much transfer fee as possible from Real Madrid. However, as a 30-year-old veteran, Van Nistelrooy's transfer fee may not be too high. At this point, You have to be mentally prepared."

"I know. David, you can give me all the information of Manchester United's players later. I have to sift through it carefully. If it's useless, just sell them all."

Hearing Ferguson's order, David Gill was also heartbroken. When did Manchester United need to sell people to raise money to buy people?
London, Arsenal Club, Arsene Wenger's office.

"Boss, the Crystal Palace sent an invitation letter, saying that we are invited to play a friendly match in the United States, and we can get at least 500 million euros in appearance fees for three games."

Assistant Pat Rice said while handing the invitation letter to Wenger.

"Oh? There is such a good thing? I didn't expect that little guy from Huaguo to remember us."

Hearing that there is money to be made, Wenger, who is also worried about money, is also very happy.

There is no way, because of the poor record in the past two years, Arsenal now even have fewer and fewer opportunities to make money.

Now a big piece of pie suddenly fell from the sky, and Wenger's affection for Chen Ran was like a "crack clunk clunk".

(End of this chapter)