Is it really impossible to get Haaland?
In a VIP box at Wembley Stadium, British tycoon James Ratcliffe, who had already secured his acquisition of Manchester United, held a glass of blood-red wine. As he casually took a sip, he asked this question.
The young Norwegian had scored a hat trick tonight, was named Man of the Match, and also finished as the FA Cup's top scorer.
He was also this season's Champions League Golden Boot winner.
Many people even believed that if Vardy hadn't performed so well in the league, Haaland might have already taken his place as Leeds United's number one striker.
But sometimes, that's just how things are. It's not easy for a newcomer to break through.
Like many others, Ratcliffe felt Haaland should be dissatisfied with his current situation.
Because he was no worse than Vardy, and much younger.
"Haaland's agent made it very clear that the player has no intention of leaving Leeds United, so..." the assistant reported from the side, then stopped.
It's a kind of wisdom to report objective facts only and not make decisions or assumptions on behalf of the boss.
In a market economy, nothing is absolute.
"Anything else?" Ratcliffe asked.
"There are reports that Vardy will leave the team this summer."
"Him?" Ratcliffe gestured forward with his wine glass.
On the pitch, Leeds United's players were pushing their captain, Vardy, to the front, clearly wanting him to be the one to lift the trophy on behalf of the team. From the players' attitude toward him, it was easy to see how respected Vardy was in the dressing room.
There was another veteran, José Fonte.
Both were long-time members of Leeds United and highly influential in the locker room.
"He's this season's Premier League Golden Boot winner," Ratcliffe said.
"But if Haaland takes over, it puts him in an awkward position," the assistant responded.
Ratcliffe nodded.
Over the past few years, Leeds United's marketing had been outstanding, not only in terms of global reach but also local engagement. Many of their homegrown players had earned the love of British fans.
Take Vardy, for example.
This homegrown international, who rose from the grassroots, was one of the most beloved players among British supporters. Many even preferred him over star striker Harry Kane, believing that he represented the traditional spirit of English football.
And that was true.
Vardy's rise from the lower leagues to the Premier League and the national team was not only thanks to Leeds United's discovery and nurturing, but also to his own relentless effort.
At 33 years old, to win the Golden Boot in the Premier League required extraordinary commitment.
Before this season, who would have thought Vardy could win the Golden Boot?
He was now the oldest Golden Boot winner in Premier League history, and the oldest in the English top flight in nearly 72 years.
That alone was a great honor.
Especially considering his origins in the eighth tier, it made him even more relatable to fans.
"Vardy is indeed excellent. There's a lot of commercial potential with him, and local fans really adore him. I've heard he has a strong commercial appeal," Ratcliffe said.
"Yes, Leeds United's business operations are very strong."
"What's his weekly wage at Leeds United?" Ratcliffe asked.
"Not high, around £100,000."
"Double it. Bring him to Manchester United," Ratcliffe said confidently.
"He's 33. This is probably his last contract. I doubt he'll say no."
"I'll arrange for someone to talk to him," the assistant nodded.
At his age, only a fool would turn down such a contract.
And Vardy was no fool.
"I've found that most people in football are idiots."
Ratcliffe placed his wine glass on the table beside him, stood up, and stretched. "These people have no idea how to play the money game, how to invest, or how to negotiate."
"Look at transfer deals. They involve hundreds of millions of euros, paid in installments. It all looks fancy, but what's the end result? How many of those players actually perform after being signed?"
Ratcliffe sounded completely dismissive.
In a business context, if headhunters recruited talent this way and got such results, they'd be out of business in no time.
That's not professional at all.
"I once heard a joke. Many players play incredibly well during contract years, but as soon as they sign the deal, their form drops by a level or more."
The assistant nodded. He had heard similar stories.
Such players were common in professional football.
Some simply cracked under pressure, others genuinely slacked off.
If it happens once or twice, it's understandable. But if it happens every contract cycle, that's just ridiculous.
"The same goes for transfers. That's why I believe the most reasonable way to structure a deal is not just with installments, but to significantly increase the variable components of the transfer. The better the player performs, the more the selling club earns, even more than the fixed fee."
His statement surprised the assistant.
In most deals, variable clauses are considered supplementary and relatively small.
For example, a selling club may receive extra money based on a player's appearances or titles won.
But those bonuses usually aren't high. Two or three million euros, at most.
All the add-ons together often don't make up much of the transfer fee.
But from what Ratcliffe said, he intended to drastically reduce the fixed portion and instead make the variable clauses the main component. This would better protect the buyer's interests.
In theory, as long as a player performs well post-transfer, the fee would still match or even exceed expectations.
"Use this approach to make an offer to Leeds United!" Ratcliffe laughed.
With a low fixed fee and appropriate installment plan, the initial cost for Manchester United and Ratcliffe would be small. And the follow-up payments would be tied directly to team performance.
In other words, the more they have to pay, the better Manchester United's results.
"Boss, that's a brilliant strategy!" the assistant grinned.
"These football people love sticking to outdated rules. They never evolve. But who still plays like that these days? Modern football is deep in the capitalist era. It should be played like a capitalist game."
Ratcliffe became more animated the more he talked.
Capital games were his specialty.
He had built the INEOS empire through capital manipulation.
Now, he was confident that he could use Manchester United, one of the most commercially powerful clubs in football, to create the greatest football empire in history.
He wanted to surpass Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He wanted Manchester United to once again become the most sought-after club and the top football brand in the world.
He was already sketching the blueprint.
Once the team's performance improved and its brand value soared, he would begin managing its brand equity.
In the United States, there were countless corporations that generated enormous revenue each year by operating their brand equity.
He had no interest in moving slowly like other clubs.
"Vardy, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford, Grealish, Declan Rice…"
"Not a single one will get away!"
...
"One, two, three..."
"Champions!!!"
When Vardy, surrounded by his teammates and amid thunderous cheers, raised the FA Cup trophy high, the entire Wembley Stadium erupted in celebration from the Leeds United fans.
The applause was deafening.
The cheers were earth-shaking.
All the Leeds United fans stood up and praised their team's outstanding performance.
3-0!
After missing out on the league title, the League Cup, and the Champions League, Leeds United had finally claimed a trophy!
And this FA Cup title carried real weight, especially with a 3-0 win over Arsenal in the final.
The players passed the trophy around, each lifting it in celebration. Then they carried it around the pitch, making their way toward the stand full of Leeds United fans.
The Leeds United supporters were singing and shouting at the top of their lungs.
No one ever thinks they have too many trophies.
Especially now, with the team in a transitional phase, this FA Cup win was a major morale boost.
After the celebrations, Gao Shen, accompanied by Su Qing, Lucas, and Borrell, returned to the dressing room.
He hugged each player one by one, offering his congratulations.
This title held special meaning for Leeds United.
"It proves to everyone that we are still the best team in the Premier League and in Europe."
The locker room erupted in cheers. The players were visibly excited.
"I hope you can all maintain this form, this drive, and this ambition. I'm confident that next season, the season after that, and every season to come, Leeds United will be the top contender for every title."
"And I mean all titles!"
The players burst into more cheers.
Haaland, that rascal, ran over and insisted on taking a picture with Gao Shen, saying he wanted a photo with an internet celebrity. He even made Gao Shen do that cheesy peace sign.
The other players quickly joined in.
Even though Gao Shen didn't participate in daily management or operations, his presence in the dressing room still carried significant weight.
To borrow a line from a past life: although we've stepped away from the martial world, the legend lives on.
Finally, at the players' invitation, Gao Shen posed for a group photo with the team and the FA Cup trophy.
(To be continued.)