From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Arsenal’s New Contract, an Unexpected Salary?

That night, through Hans’s introduction, Ma’el contacted Philip, and the two arranged to meet at a pub in the bar street.

Ma’el was unfamiliar with other bars, so he booked the Kedao’Er Old Shop he had endorsed not long ago.

As soon as he arrived, he saw Kedao’Er waiting for him at the door, eyes full of enthusiasm and joy for his arrival. ”I’ve already seated your friend in the private room; just waiting for you.”

”Thanks.”

Ma’el thanked him and noticed his event posters and match photos still displayed at the entrance. He asked, ”How’s the event going?”

”See for yourself.”

Kedao’Er, brimming with delight, opened the door for Ma’el to enter first, following behind him as he explained, ”Ever since that event, our occupancy rate hasn’t dropped below half; on match days, it’s often packed to the brim.”

”Your autographs sold out completely. I wanted to keep a few more, but after the last away game against Doncaster, the fans were just too numerous and enthusiastic, and we ended up keeping only one.”

Ma’el walked into the pub and saw that there were indeed around a dozen tables of customers, which was rare on a rest day.

”Speaking of.”

Kedao’Er seemed a bit embarrassed but still faced Ma’el, expressing, ”I haven’t expressed my gratitude to you face-to-face yet. I know that the £4,000 might not be much to you.

”But I’m well aware of what those 100 autographs meant to my pub.”

Ma’el smiled slightly without speaking, walked toward the private room, with Kedao’Er pointing the way.

His presence soon attracted the attention of many in the pub. At first, people unintentionally glanced at him, but then they stared as if seeing something unbelievable, with looks of shock.

”Ma’el?”

”That’s Ma’el!”

”The old guy wasn’t lying; he really often visits this place?”

”I didn’t see wrong!”

”It’s really him. It’s the first time I’ve seen him this close.”

Whispers gradually turned into a commotion as everyone focused their eyes in his direction, following Ma’el’s movements.

Enjoying the moment silently, Ma’el walked into the private room where Philip was.

Fame growing gradually, delightful indeed.

”You guys chat.”

Kedao’Er gestured toward Philip seated inside, then stepped out, advising people outside, ”Don’t disturb him; he’s discussing important matters inside.”

...

”Hello, first time meeting.”

Inside the private room, Philip, dressed formally, proactively reached out his hand saying, ”Mr. Wenger asked me to apologize, as during the season, he personally cannot meet you for now.”

”Hello.”

Ma’el extended his hand to greet him, confidently smiling, ”What about the phone call then? I haven’t received a call from Mr. Wenger until today.”

Increasingly proving his worth on the field, he has gained more confidence in social interactions.

When dealing with people like Philip now, there’s no sense of estrangement; rather, it feels familiar, starting with jokes.

”That I don’t know; maybe he’s also looking for a suitable moment.”

Philip explained briefly, then, after glancing at Ma’el, continued with a probing tone, ”For example, when you’re about to make some important decisions, he’ll definitely contact you proactively.”

Ma’el raised an eyebrow and nodded, roughly understanding Philip’s implication.

Wenger seems to be paying close attention to him and is indeed preparing for his recall.

When the decision is truly made and the club indeed needs him, that’s likely when the prestigious senior will discuss details with him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries and ordering some beer and snacks, they finally got to serious business.

Philip took out a contract, handed it to Ma’el, and introduced, ”Originally, I thought it was just an additional agreement for activating the salary increase clause, but after reviewing it closely at noon, I found it wasn’t.

”The club wants to increase the release clause to £40 million and extend by 2 years, making the total contract length 5 years.

”But correspondingly, your salary will increase to £30k a week, and there are various bonus clauses too.”

Ma’el was particularly sensitive to these large figures, thinking over Philip’s words without even flipping to the contract page.

£30k weekly pay?

Far exceeded his expectations and was incredibly tempting, but the price was accepting the £40 million release clause.

Meaning, if he wanted to leave Arsenal in the future but Arsenal didn’t want to let him go, another club would have to pay £40 million in compensation to take him away.

Besides that, there aren’t many places where this clause would be applicable.

”I’ll think about it for a while.”

Ma’el looked through the contract. He currently doesn’t have an agent, so many decisions he has to make alone.

First, based on his intentions, at present he has no desire to leave Arsenal, which means he doesn’t need to worry too much about the release clause.

Secondly, from the perspective of the £40 million figure.

The last updated Transfermarkt valuation pegged him at €8 million; if updated recently, it’s likely to exceed the ten million mark.

Converting the exchange rate, breaking ten million pounds is highly possible too.

This is already very high; he’s currently playing in the Championship, not yet in the higher-profile Premier League.

Given his plan to use the Championship as a stepping stone, gain Arsenal’s trust, and then make waves alongside Wenger in Arsenal, establish himself in the Premier League, aiming for top-tier stardom.

Then..... it seems there’s no need to worry too much?

”I can accept the release clause.”

After a long thoughtful pause, Ma’el raised his head and spoke with a smile, ”But for the contract duration and salary, I’d like to negotiate a bit more.”

Unlike before, now having scored over 15 goals in the Championship, he’s confident enough in cooperation to fight for some interests for himself.

”I’m all ears.” Philip wasn’t too surprised, waiting for Ma’el to present his ideas.

”Since the release clause is £40 million.”

Ma’el closed the contract and became serious, ”I hope to receive £38k weekly pay; this is within a reasonable range.

”Additionally, for the contract duration, I want to extend by only 1 year, making the total contract length 4 years.”

Reducing the contract duration is to leave some room for maneuver; after all, he currently has no plans to retire, no need to sign so long.

Signing for 5 years all at once would make future salary increases difficult.

”£38k weekly pay, 4-year contract.”

Philip understood Ma’el’s intentions; this counteroffer was indeed within a reasonable range. He thought for a while without saying much else, ”I need to discuss it with Mr. Wenger; I might give you an answer tomorrow.”

”No problem.”

Ma’el nodded. This is quite a significant contract, not something that could be finalized right here.

After bidding farewell to Philip, he walked out of the private room, feeling light as air.

38k.....even if Arsenal negotiates it down to around 33k, it’s within his acceptable range!

He originally thought he was just coming to sign a supplementary contract with a £20k weekly pay, unaware of the chance to sign for over 30k?

To him at present, it’s absolutely an astronomical figure.

”About £5,000 a day.”

Ma’el chuckled to himself, preparing to return to his residence to rest, chatting with Sheffield fans in the pub as he walked.

At the entrance, ready to settle the bill, Kedao’Er adamantly refused, insisting as he had promised before to treat him for drinks here; unable to refuse, he agreed with a wry smile.

”Hey! Ma’el!”

Before parting, Kedao’Er called out to him again, fist bumping him in congratulations, ”Great game last match!”

”Thanks.”

Ma’el laughed heartily, waved to him and said, ”The future will only get better.”