Following the Champions League final, media outlets across the globe published extensive reports on Real Madrid's treble-winning season, alongside emotional coverage of Paris Saint-Germain's heartbreaking defeat.
Whether judging from their consistent performance throughout the season or their display in the Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain deserved the title.
But they lost at the crucial moment.
All that could be said was that Real Madrid had the stronger foundation.
In an interview with the media, Gao Shen expressed his satisfaction with Paris Saint-Germain's performance.
He believed the club was in a promising position, heading in the right direction, and would continue to improve.
After last summer's heavy investment, this season would be focused on stabilizing the squad. Gao Shen said the team would not make any major moves, instead addressing problems exposed last season and reinforcing certain positions.
For example, a backup goalkeeper.
As PSG's technical director, Gao Shen believed the team would perform even better next season after experiencing the Champions League final.
"Without a doubt, we are already the most competitive top team in European football."
...
On the television, Vardy was watching a high-profile interview in which he had just declared his confidence in Paris Saint-Germain, when his agent, David Ornstein, walked in.
"Let's talk in the study," the agent said mysteriously.
Unlike his previous life where he met a barmaid in Leicester, Vardy now lived in Leeds, where he had met a local university student. They married after she graduated and had two children. Life was good.
Knowing his agent had something serious to discuss, Vardy quickly apologized to his wife and headed toward the study, muttering as he walked, "We had a few regrets this season. If we hadn't lost to Real Madrid, we could've been the ones facing PSG."
After a pause, the England striker added, "To be honest, we're still a bit behind Real Madrid and PSG in terms of strength. They're seasoned stars, and we're still young."
"But I think we've got a chance next season. Then we can challenge Real Madrid and PSG again."
David Ornstein gave a bitter, reluctant smile.
The two entered the study one after the other. Ornstein specifically told the servants not to disturb them unless called, then closed the door tightly, leaving Vardy completely puzzled.
"Come on, man, this is my house!" Vardy laughed.
What was up with this guy today?
David turned to look at Vardy's smiling face but couldn't bring himself to smile back.
He pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and found the recording.
The person on the other end of the call was sharp but seemed quite old. Didn't he know smartphone calls could be recorded?
It wasn't like David had deliberately set a trap. He just had that habit.
That habit had brought him many benefits and saved him from plenty of trouble over the years.
In fact, it was partly why players at Leeds United liked working with him. He was efficient and trustworthy.
Vardy's smile vanished completely as soon as he heard the voice on the recording introduce himself.
It was an offer from Manchester United.
No, not an offer. This was poaching.
"This is against the rules." Vardy's first reaction was blunt.
"Yes," David nodded, "but if I delete the recording and the call log, no one will know the call ever happened. This is actually quite common in the industry."
Although some things were clearly prohibited, they were often overlooked. As the saying went, the authorities wouldn't investigate unless someone reported it.
Like this case. If Vardy cooperated with Manchester United, Leeds United wouldn't have many options.
David picked up the call from Manchester United, but that could easily be explained as normal business dealings. That wasn't unusual.
Take Mendes, for instance. If you really wanted to nitpick, he would've been out of the game long ago.
In this industry, everyone knew that professional ethics were everything.
Securing the best outcome for his players was David's professional code as an agent.
Whether to join Manchester United or not wasn't David's decision. It was Vardy's.
Vardy paced back and forth in the study before turning to point at David.
"What? You're interested?"
David hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"It'd be a lie to say I wasn't tempted."
"I knew it. I knew you were tempted. You've always wanted to be a super-agent like Mendes or Raiola. You've told me a hundred times. Now you want to latch onto Manchester United, right?"
Vardy was getting a little worked up toward the end.
That was just his personality. Even now, as a national team player, he still retained his old ways.
"That's my dream," David answered calmly.
Vardy pursed his lips. "And then?"
"As your agent, I should be thinking about your future."
"Tell me." Vardy walked to the sofa and flopped down.
"You're 33 now. Manchester United's commercial operation is no weaker than Leeds United's. If you go there, your commercial revenue and branding won't take a hit. In fact, Manchester United is short a striker right now. If you join them, you'll likely be promoted heavily. If you can keep your form for another year or two…"
David paused briefly before continuing, "Their offer is good. Double your weekly wage, and it's still negotiable. I think we can also negotiate the contract length. A three-year deal should be possible."
"Just on salary alone, you'd earn nearly £20 million over three years. Add commercial income, and you'd make several million more domestically. That'd be enough for retirement."
David laid it all out calmly and clearly, which even surprised Vardy.
After a long silence, Vardy pointed at David. "You actually did the math?"
"Of course. I'm your agent. I have to do the math."
"You think I want to go to Manchester United?"
"That's not the point."
"Then who do you think you are!" Vardy snapped, visibly annoyed.
David smiled. "You're tempted."
"I..." Vardy was speechless. This guy knew him too well. "How could I not be tempted?"
Manchester United was offering way too much.
"Then think it through," David advised. "I believe if Mr. Gao were here, he'd also tell you to think it through. No one else can make this decision for you."
Unexpectedly, Vardy waved his hand. "No need to think. I won't even consider it."
David looked at him calmly, unsurprised.
"I'm a Leeds United player. And Manchester United reaching out to me like this? It's against the rules. If I went to Manchester United under these circumstances, I'd be a traitor!"
At the word "traitor," Vardy stood up angrily.
"I could leave Leeds United, I could even go to Manchester United, for the money or my future, but never like this!"
Then he pointed at David and said through gritted teeth, "They're humiliating me, David. Don't you feel that?"
After a few seconds of silence, David said calmly, "Most people don't even get the chance to be humiliated like this."
"Yeah, but I'm not like most people!" Vardy answered firmly.
"You know me best. You've watched me come up. Do you really think I'd betray Leeds United for money?"
"No," David answered calmly.
"Then why use this to mess with me?"
"I told you, I can't make decisions for you."
"Then call them back and tell that rich guy at Manchester United to keep his checkbook to himself!"
After speaking, Vardy added, just in case, "Call Lucas and let him know too. We need to teach that rule-breaker a lesson!"
David nodded. After a brief hesitation, he asked, "You're sure... you don't want to reconsider?"
"I…" Vardy hesitated, "If I think about it any longer, I might really give in."
David burst into laughter.
This was the Vardy he knew—genuine, through and through.
Manchester United's offer was truly irresistible.
And both Vardy and David knew that Leeds United couldn't match that kind of money.
It wasn't about whether they had the money. It was about the club's salary structure.
More importantly, Vardy was already 33, and Leeds United had been preparing for Haaland to rise.
According to the agreement between Vardy and the club, at the start of the new season, he would support Haaland and let the young Norwegian go all out.
But if Vardy really wanted to transfer, Leeds United would let him go.
At his age, it would be understandable to want a big payday before retirement.
But David always knew Vardy wouldn't leave Leeds United, especially not for money, and especially not in this way.
Vardy didn't breathe easy until David finished his call with Lucas.
When David sat down on the sofa, Vardy immediately came over.
"What did that guy from Manchester United say? How much were they offering?"
"Double, and still negotiable. I think £20 million before tax is doable."
"Holy crap. The rich really are something. Twenty million pounds..." Vardy winced.
Yeah, he really felt like he had taken a hit.
"I can't take it. I need to go tell my wife we're having an extra meal tonight. I need to comfort my broken heart."
With that, Vardy ran out.
Watching his figure disappear, David felt like he was watching someone flee in defeat.
The British agent couldn't help but smile.
He had always known what choice Vardy would make.
Because in Vardy's mind, Gao Shen was his football god.
(To be continued.)