From Arsenal to the Ball God

”No way.” Wenger shook his head and thought for a moment: ”Try to negotiate to above 8 million Euros, keep in touch with them, and if necessary, I will talk to the opposing coach.”

After saying this, he no longer considered selling players. The current bench depth is already average; selling more players would lead to a shortage of manpower.

The next topic should be about acquiring players and contract renewals.

”Kyle Walker.”

Someone quickly mentioned this name. This strong defensive fullback is exactly what Arsenal needs right now.

If they can purchase him to replace Gibbs, Arsenal’s four-defender line will have no weak points.

Combined with Arteta and Alexander Song, this six-player defensive combo is very solid.

”The player’s current Transfermarkt value is 24 million Euros, but at the age of 21, he has three years left on his contract with Tottenham, so acquiring him might require preparing 35 million Euros.”

An analyst provided a budget and finally raised an eyebrow: ”Moreover, Tottenham is indeed our arch-rival. Their players joining Arsenal will face immense public and moral pressure.”

”The management might release him for profit, but whether the player wants to come is another question... We can try, as we do have a chance to win the championship this season.”

Wenger listened to the analysis and nodded slightly, ”Then pursue him with full effort. If we can acquire him, we won’t need any other signings in the winter window. If not, we’ll reconsider.”

He suddenly thought of something and immediately added, ”Is Kyle Walker a teammate of Ma’el at Sheffield United? You guys say, if we let Ma’el help with persuasion, will there be hope?”

”I think there will be.” Philip immediately nodded: ”If they were just ordinary teammates with some past cooperation, the persuasion chance might be slim.”

”But they won the Championship together, broke records, and achieved significant accomplishments... Kyle Walker is also well aware of the changes and help Ma’el can bring to a team, which would increase the persuasion success rate.”

”Then let’s ask Ma’el for help.” Wenger decided and then thought about the contract renewal issues for several key players within the team.

”I think Van Persie and Alexander Song might not be very keen on renewing their contracts.”

Someone speculated, shrugged: ”They have no shortage of buyers; they can completely finish this season with the team and decide when the contract has only one year left after the season ends.”

”Then, whether it’s opening renewal negotiations or leaving after another year as free agents, they will have more chips and choices.”

”Where is such a good situation?”

Philip’s expression wasn’t pleasant, he said coldly: ”Better to tell them plainly to either choose to renew now. We will offer the most generous contract to express our sincerity.”

”Or else be directly listed in the winter window, waiting to negotiate personal contracts with other teams. Forget about the championship this season.”

If it were before, he wouldn’t dare to suggest putting pressure on players like this.

But the team’s performance this new season, Ma’el’s explosive state, has supported the coaching staff’s backbone, giving them this courage.

”Don’t be impulsive.”

”Don’t play that game.”

Someone immediately opposed, while Wenger, leaning against the table edge, pinched his chin and thought for a while, ”Talk to them, you can give them some pressure.”

”But the key is to make them understand that we have the best chance this season, hoping they voluntarily renew to maintain team stability.”

”Otherwise, the team will inevitably face a situation of unease in the second half of the season; if momentum drastically declines in every aspect, it will be detrimental to everyone.”

After finishing this point, everyone simultaneously focused their thoughts on Ma’el... During the discussion just now, they had already felt multiple times how truly important this player was to them.

Not only can he be of help on the field, but also off the field.

”I guess we’ll soon receive offers concerning him; Mendes has been constantly negotiating between us and other clubs.”

Wenger expressed his view, a slight smile on his lips, ”He might understand that the player doesn’t want to leave Arsenal for now, but he won’t tell other clubs that. He will suggest trying offers.”

”Then use these offers to pressure Arsenal, forcing us to provide the player with a better salary contract.”

Everyone else remained silent, knowing this approach is certainly unfavorable for Arsenal Club... But from Mendes’ perspective, from Ma’el’s perspective, he’s doing it flawlessly.

The whole process won’t affect the relationship between the player and the club, letting him be the villain, and perfectly completing his job.

”A salary increase is certain, but as for how much, let’s not discuss it now.”

Seeing no one speaking, Wenger continued to convey his thoughts, ”I heard the player purchased a newspaper and wants to cooperate with Arsenal’s official to create a column program, but lacks the team’s image rights and various copyrights.”

”We can give this to him, but it must be used as our leverage to exchange for Mendes’ concession.”

Others still didn’t speak, just nodded silently, knowing this was indeed the best solution.

...

On January 3rd, the day before the league’s second half began, Ma’el called upon Alexander Song, who was relatively free, to help him practice headers.

”Bang... Bang... Bang...!”

Song continuously sent high balls with long-passing technique and curved-ball technique on the field, often hitting the spot directly, sometimes providing lead, and sometimes sending it behind for practicing withdrawal headers.