Starting With Real Madrid

Koulibaly 45 million euros, Kurzawa 30 million euros, Kondogbia 50 million euros, Jorginho 40 million euros, Allan 20 million euros, Pogba 60 million euros, Icardi 30 million euros, Marquinhos 40 million euros.

…

When Gao Shen returned to Europe from China with his wife and children, his first stop was not Madrid, Spain. He flew directly to Manchester. At his home in Cheshire, he met Fernando Lucas and Borrell, who had heard the news.

They all lived in Cheshire, not far from Gao Shen's home.

When they handed Gao Shen and Su Qing this heavy report card, they were truly shocked.

Total revenue reached 315 million euros.

It was crazy.

Not to mention the outside world, even they themselves could not believe it was true.

How much did these players cost in the first place?

When Koulibaly was signed in 2011, his fee was only 700,000 euros, but now it had multiplied dozens of times.

Kurzawa cost 500,000 euros back then, a 60-fold increase.

There was also Kondogbia, who originally cost 500,000 euros and had now increased 100 times.

When did youth development become so profitable?

The entire European football world went wild.

Everyone knew that Leeds United had cashed in.

They made 100 million last year and more than 300 million this year. It was simply outrageous.

Even Fernando Lucas and Borrell were a little worried, because they could not believe it was real.

By contrast, Gao Shen was very composed.

What was this?

In his previous life, Monaco sold more than 500 million in three windows in a single year, which was truly impressive.

Leeds United was just playing small games now.

However, this frenzy of sales also caused many problems.

For example, Leeds United fans were quite dissatisfied.

The team had performed very well last season, finishing sixth in the league. Everyone expected the club to go a step further and, based on last season's form, push for the top four or even the title.

But at this moment, the club directly sold players. What was that about?

Who would not worry?

"Right now, the fans have a lot of opinions and we must appease them. Otherwise, it will definitely affect the relationship between the team and the fans," Fernando Lucas said with concern.

Gao Shen nodded and looked at Su Qing, who smiled sweetly.

"We have already made plans. In the next two days, Sir Norman Foster will come north again to complete a signing ceremony with us. We plan to build a brand-new football stadium next to Elland Road."

Lucas and Borrell were prepared and had even guessed Gao Shen's plan, but they were still surprised after hearing it. The way they looked at Gao Shen was different.

That was 300 million euros, not 30 million, but 300 million.

Previously, Gao Shen had directly invested 70 to 80 million euros to build a new training base, which already impressed everyone. Now he was investing another 300 million euros.

It was truly surprising.

"We believe this news will appease the fans," Gao Shen said confidently.

Lucas and Borrell looked at each other and nodded.

Calling for Leeds United to build a new stadium was a common demand among many fans.

The reason was simple. The facilities at Elland Road were really too poor.

But how easy was it to build a new stadium?

Not to mention before, even now, with 300 million euros, it was still far from enough.

According to European football transfer rules, it would take three years to collect the 300 million euros.

If a new stadium was to be built, the capacity would certainly not be small, at least over 50,000.

Since Gao Shen was planning to sign a contract with Norman Foster, it would be like the training base, the stadium specifications would definitely be high and the budget would not be small. Three hundred million euros would definitely not be enough.

"We still have to go through a few more years of hardship. Once our new stadium is built and our training base is in use, and we gain a stable foothold in the Premier League, then our good days will come," Gao Shen encouraged.

"Of course, everyone has worked very hard, so the club cannot be stingy and must pay every penny of the bonuses that should be paid. We must ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefits brought by the club's development."

Gao Shen and Su Qing had studied it carefully. Even if they gave raises to the players and staff who stayed, given Leeds United's current situation and the increased share of broadcasting rights in the new season, Leeds United would still be able to control the wage structure well.

If operations improved, wage expenses could even be reduced to 40 percent.

But this was temporary.

Judging from the current situation, player salaries would continue to rise. This was an inevitable trend.

"You can buy the bus you liked before. Buy two and rotate them," Gao Shen decided.

This bus was a customized luxury coach from a world-renowned brand, integrating leisure and entertainment. It was equipped with a kitchen, refrigerator, cooking table, bar, and other amenities. The interior was also very comfortable.

But the price was also striking. Each cost one million euros.

Leeds United currently rented all their buses. Although they were long-term leases, using them was very inconvenient.

Lucas and Borrell had previously proposed purchasing their own, but they wanted to buy at least two at once because they would have to alternate usage, including arriving early for away games to wait for flights.

They even needed to purchase a few more for youth team use.

Purchasing buses would also require salary expenses for drivers and crew.

These were significant costs, but Gao Shen still decided to do it.

Of course, buses like Leeds United's could not be obtained immediately. They had to be reserved in advance, customized by the manufacturer, and delivery would take time.

…

"I spoke with Pochettino about the current squad list. He feels the team needs a centre-back, so we decided to recall De Vrij," Borrell said.

Gao Shen agreed.

Stefan de Vrij had been signed by Leeds United last year, but had been on loan at Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. His current market value had not increased much, but his overall strength was good. He was 21, just the right age.

"We have discussed with Feyenoord that after De Vrij returns to Leeds United, we will loan Van Dijk there. He has performed very well in the Eredivisie and should prove himself on a higher stage."

Borrell's arrangements were thoughtful.

If Gao Shen remembered correctly, De Vrij would shine at the 2014 World Cup, which showed his current level was already excellent.

Although Koulibaly and Marquinhos had been sold, with the return of De Vrij, Stones, and Maguire, Leeds United's defence would not be affected too much.

The biggest impact was in midfield, with all three starters gone.

But Pochettino was determined to move Coutinho back into the middle. To partner him, Kanté and Rabiot would both be good options.

Brozovic had also performed well at the World Youth Championship. Some teams had inquired about him before, but Leeds United were determined to keep him and ignored them. It was natural to promote him to a more important role in the new season.

"We can consider two targets. A dark horse emerged in Serie B last season."

As soon as Gao Shen finished speaking, Lucas and Borrell knew.

The two of them said almost in unison, "Novara."

All three laughed.

Serie B was where they had made their fortune.

Novara had been promoted from Serie B last season, but unexpectedly, this newly promoted team actually finished fifth in the league.

But many people had not paid attention to Serie B, especially Novara.

In the first 21 rounds of Serie B, that is, before the winter break, Novara ranked 16th, only 4 points away from the relegation zone, and the relegation situation was very serious.

But at this critical moment, an eighteen-year-old was entrusted with responsibility and became the team's starting midfielder. In the next 21 league rounds, he contributed 4 goals and 2 assists, becoming the undisputed midfield core.

Novara's league position continued to rise, eventually finishing fifth and entering the promotion play-offs.

Unfortunately, in the play-offs, Novara lost to Empoli and failed to win promotion.

As a result, the player began to gain recognition in Italian football and attracted the attention of many teams.

Even more surprising, he had joined Novara from Boavista's youth team for 40,000 euros just a year earlier. One season later, his value had soared to 3.5 million euros.

His name was Bruno Fernandes.

"Sign him quickly," Gao Shen told Borrell. "Udinese and other Serie A teams are also very interested. Due to his contract, his current fee is probably between 2 million and 2.5 million."

"I understand. I'll do it right away." Borrell was about to make a call on the spot.

"Wait."

Gao Shen stopped Borrell.

"There is another player. Contact him as well."

Gao Shen thought of it at the last moment.

Since they had decided to sign Bruno Fernandes, they could not forget the other one.

That was the famous B Silva.

When the time came, they would form a Portuguese double… combination. Well, no need to say more.

"There is a young winger named Bernardo Silva in Benfica's youth team. Contact him and sign him. He has not played for the first team yet, so his price should not be high. I think his more suitable position is central midfield."

Lucas and Borrell were used to Gao Shen's style. From time to time, a young player or two would appear out of nowhere.

Although it was confusing and even worrying at first, after some time, whether two or three years or just months, when they looked at those players again, they found Gao Shen's eye was truly sharp.

It was as if he could predict the future.

"Okay, I will contact Benfica immediately."

Borrell went out to make the call.

Gao Shen sat on the sofa, carefully considering Leeds United's lineup for the new season.

From the current perspective, survival should not be a problem. The results would depend on Pochettino's ability to integrate the team.

Of course, Gao Shen would not put too much pressure on him.

Are you kidding? They had just sold over 300 million this summer. After going through so much, now expecting instant results would be asking too much.

(To be continued.)