Starting With Real Madrid

"Not here for Delgado?"

Heusler was a little surprised.

In recent times, most of the teams that came knocking on their door were looking for Delgado.

No wonder the Argentine forward was very eye-catching last season.

In 2003, Basel brought him from Argentina for just one million euros. Today, three years later, he was sold to Beşiktaş, and the transfer fee had risen to five million euros, a full fivefold increase.

It was a pity that the big teams in Europe were always reluctant to raise the price; otherwise, they could have gotten at least two million more.

"Mr. Gao, if not for Delgado, are you here for Patrick Muller?"

Gao Shen shook his head. "No."

Patrick Muller is another highly sought-after centre-back for Basel this summer. He performed very well in the UEFA Cup and is, alongside Delgado, one of the top players being pursued.

The 28-year-old Swiss defender briefly played for Juventus before being sold to Lyon for 7.5 million euros in 2000. Four years later, he transferred on a free from Lyon to Real Mallorca in Spain.

A year later, he returned to Basel on a free transfer from Real Mallorca.

Now, Lyon has come knocking again, eager to buy back Patrick Muller. It's fascinating how things come full circle.

"Who is it then?" Heusler asked curiously.

"Ivan Rakitic."

"Oh, it's him!" Heusler, of course, knew who he was. Rakitic is a young player who just got promoted from the second team. At only 18 years old, he played in just three first-team games last season. However, he is a regular in the Swiss national youth teams, from U16 and U17 to U19. He has been climbing the ranks, and everyone is optimistic about his prospects.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Gao, but Ivan is a young talent we all have high hopes for..."

Gao Shen didn't let him finish and smiled, waving his hand. "Speak directly; how much are you asking for?"

Lucas, who was sitting next to him, almost couldn't help laughing out loud. Isn't this too straightforward and blunt?

However, it was normal. Everyone could see that Heusler was playing the negotiation game.

Heusler chuckled but didn't feel embarrassed. Negotiations are like this: buyers want it cheap, sellers want it expensive. That's normal; there's nothing to be ashamed of.

"He's a genius. Although he is only eighteen years old, his potential is amazing..."

"Are there too many geniuses in your team? He's only made three first-team appearances, all as a substitute."

"Yes, we plan to make him a key player this season."

Gao Shen was noncommittal. "David Degen, 23 years old, currently valued at 1.6 million euros in the market, but you sold him to Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach for just 900,000 euros."

"And Baikal Belushi, 23 years old, is valued at 500,000 euros. You only sold him for 200,000 euros to Cologne in Germany."

After finishing, Gao Shen looked at Heusler with a smile. "Both midfielders were the main players last season; both were young and performed well. Meanwhile, Rakitic only played one game in the Swiss Super League, coming on as a substitute for 29 minutes, one UEFA Cup game as a substitute for 14 minutes, and one Swiss Cup game as a substitute for 26 minutes."

"Rakitic performed well in the Swiss youth national teams and did well in the Basel youth team. He is currently valued at 450,000 euros. How much are you planning to sell him for?"

The transfer market today is very different from what it will be in a few years.

Although there are local giants like Chelsea, the market value of players is generally not high.

More importantly, for a team like Basel, the offer to a giant club is entirely different from the offer to other clubs sometimes even one or two times more.

Why?

Because the giants have money.

If you don't gouge them now, when will you?

Heusler looked at Gao Shen intently. He realized the other party had done his homework and was well-prepared.

"Frankly speaking, Mr. Gao, I did underestimate you before, but I'll be honest: we are very optimistic about Rakitic. A player like him, we won't easily let go. If we train him for another two or three years, he could be sold for a higher price."

"But he might also become worthless," Gao Shen replied.

Both sides were telling the truth.

For such young players, an injury, a psychological blow especially for teenagers in adolescence could render them worthless anytime, anywhere.

Thus, youth training has always been a high-risk industry.

"So, 1.5 million euros, and we'll sell," Heusler said with a pained expression.

Gao Shen shook his head. "I don't like bargaining. At most, 800,000 euros."

"That's impossible," Heusler shook his head.

"Then think about it again. I believe you're under a lot of financial pressure now."

After doing well last season, Basel was eager to sell players this summer. Why?

Because of contract renewals.

For a small team like Basel, renewing contracts is a very painful process. In many cases, they would rather sell players and lose strength than renew contracts.

Simply put, it's a consideration from a cost perspective.

But they can't sell everyone. If they do, they won't be competitive.

Heusler looked at the other Basel executives, especially the chairman, then gritted his teeth. "Add a bit more, Gao."

After thinking for a while, Gao Shen nodded and said, "Over one million, and I won't buy."

One million euros was a lot for Basel.

"Okay, deal!" Heusler extended his hand.

Gao Shen shook hands with him. "I will arrange for someone from the Napoli club to discuss the specific details with you."

There was no problem on Basel's side, but after negotiating the deal, Heusler couldn't help but gossip a little.

"By the way, Gao, I'm very curious. Why did you choose Napoli, a newly promoted Serie B team?"

Gao Shen smiled slightly and said, "I've said it before: I want to lead the team to win the Serie B championship and get promoted to Serie A!"

...

After talking with Basel's management, Gao Shen obtained the contact details for Rakitic's family and went to visit them.

As immigrants who escaped from Croatia, the Rakitic family settled in a small town called Möhlin, 20 kilometers east of Basel, near the border between Switzerland and Germany.

The small town has more Croatian immigrants than local residents. It's an old village, but the roads are clean and tidy, and it was easy for them to find the cafe in town.

Soon, Gao Shen met the 18-year-old Ivan Rakitic.

With blond hair, he looked youthful, but he had a sunny smile on his face.

For him, it was incredible to meet the coach who had just won the Champions League.

Gao Shen mainly spoke with Rakitic's father, focusing on the transfer.

Rakitic's father and older brother were both football players. They were deeply worried about him moving to Italy, especially to chaotic Naples.

"If you are concerned, we can arrange for you to live in Naples with him. The club can provide housing subsidies. If you'd like, we can even help you find work."

However, for Rakitic's older brother, Dejan Rakitic, who was still playing in the lower leagues in Switzerland, Gao Shen said there was no way to help him find a team since his talent was indeed limited.

How can a player who can't even play in the lower leagues in Switzerland go to Italy?

However, Gao Shen repeatedly assured them that he believed Rakitic could become a very good midfielder.

Rakitic was very happy to be recognized by Gao Shen.

Although, in their opinion, Gao Shen was still too young and didn't have the aura of many famous managers, the close age gap made it easier to connect.

In Basel, Rakitic played in a more advanced position, so he scored many goals. Last season, he scored nine goals in 21 games for the youth team, which was a decent performance.

But in Gao Shen's plan, Rakitic's position needed adjustment; he would play further back.

"I've seen your game videos. You're very smart, and your footwork is good. You might be a bit on the thinner side, but that's normal. I can see you give your best in every game, which is the most important thing for me."

Saying this, Gao Shen gently patted Rakitic on the shoulder. "In any case, trust me. I will train you to become one of the best midfielders in European football. Soon, you'll shine in Serie A and the Champions League!"

Luka Rakitic, Ivan's father, couldn't bear it any longer.

Is it really appropriate to make these promises and give motivational talks to his son in front of his old father?

But look at Rakitic his eyes were filled with longing, and he was eating up this motivational talk.

Not to mention his older brother, 23-year-old Dejan Rakitic looked envious, regretting not having worked harder earlier.

Gao Shen couldn't stay long in Möhlin. After leaving his contact information with the Rakitic family, he then said a few words to Rakitic, mainly advising him to relax, adjust well, and ideally learn Italian or English, which would make it easier for him to integrate into the team.

"I'm very optimistic about you. You'll definitely make a big impact, just like De la Red!"

Before leaving, Gao Shen didn't forget to give him some more encouragement, leaving Rakitic feeling a bit dazed.

De la Red, currently the hottest young midfielder in European football, plays for Real Madrid. Despite having only played a few matches, he has already garnered widespread admiration and even played a key role in the Champions League final.

He is the standard-bearer and dream for many young players.

Naturally, Rakitic felt the same.

On the way out of Marin, Lucas laughed while driving.

"Gao, your ability to convince people is getting sharper and sharper."

Gao Shen considered this to be a compliment.

But what does that even mean?

Back in his previous job, the ability to convince subordinates was a necessary skill for leaders, especially when dealing with a group of fresh college graduates.

There was no choice being a manager nowadays meant you had to know how to persuade people to get by.

"By the way, where are we headed next?" Lucas asked.

After the conversation about Rakitic, Gao Shen felt more confident.

"To Argentina!"