Chapter 66: One Price, One Favor
Speed is the essence of war.
After meeting with Neuer, Yang Cheng went straight to Schalke 04's management.
They made a private agreement: keep everything quiet and progress things discreetly.
After all, Neuer wasn't some big-name star. Even if he did transfer, hardly anyone would pay attention.
When Yang Cheng returned to London, he immediately met with Xia Qing and Lin Zhongqiu.
While he'd been away, Everton and Bayswater Chinese had held two more rounds of talks.
Both sides were standing firm.
Xia Qing and Lin Zhongqiu, following Yang Cheng's instructions to the letter, held the line at £6.5 million, refusing to budge.
That was Yang Cheng's strategy.
At this critical moment, there could be no concessions.
Everton, meanwhile, capped their offer at £5 million, refusing to go higher.
So negotiations stalled.
"I saw this morning's papers—Nigel Martyn's recovered from injury," Xia Qing mentioned.
Though she wasn't officially working at Bayswater Chinese yet, she had been entrusted with this negotiation, and she took it seriously.
"Will he play in the FA Cup against Leicester?" Yang Cheng asked.
"Not sure," she replied honestly.
She wasn't a football expert, and her efforts so far were already above and beyond.
"Thanks, Senior," Yang Cheng said.
Xia Qing smiled. "Was your trip to Germany smooth?"
"Done."
"Must be a big one, for you to fly there in person?"
Yang Cheng grinned. "If no one else snatches him up, we won't have to worry about goalkeepers for the next fifteen years."
"He'll be the best in the world."
Xia Qing was taken aback.
She had only asked casually, not expecting an answer like that.
Had it come from anyone else, she'd have scoffed.
But over the past few months, Yang Cheng had shocked her too many times.
Now, she felt like nothing he did could surprise her anymore.
"By the way, have you started the resignation process?" Yang Cheng asked with a cheeky grin.
Xia Qing looked slightly embarrassed and glanced at Lin Zhongqiu.
Lin gave her a weary look that said: Don't look at me. I've already been kicked out of the picture.
He was long past heartbreak and well into acceptance.
"It's underway," Xia Qing sighed.
With Yang Cheng pestering her like this, she had no choice.
But more importantly, she really didn't like the Goldman Sachs lifestyle.
In contrast, she felt working at Bayswater Chinese might actually be fun and fulfilling.
Yang Cheng burst into laughter. "Congrats, Senior—you've made a very wise decision."
Then he got serious.
"Though you're not officially in post yet, you should start preparing next season's salary structure."
Promotion to the Premier League meant major changes to the wage system.
The players who had helped win promotion deserved a raise.
But it had to be controlled.
They were still young. Raise them too fast, and you'll never be able to hold onto them.
You'll lose leverage.
"Oh, and for now, let's put Everton on ice," Yang Cheng added. "I bet they're waiting on tonight's FA Cup result."
Meanwhile, he told Lin Zhongqiu to finalize the Neuer deal with Schalke as soon as possible.
And keep it secret.
If Everton caught wind, they'd have even more reason to drive the price down.
…
That evening, in the FA Cup at Goodison Park, Everton scored in the 10th minute against Leicester.
Everyone thought it would be a straightforward win.
But in the 32nd minute, a defensive error let Leicester equalize.
Both sides traded attacks.
Then in the 90th minute, Leicester's striker James Scowcroft scored again.
2–1.
Leicester had turned the match around and advanced to the fifth round.
The loss left Everton devastated.
David Moyes was furious, slamming his team's recent poor performances.
But what Yang Cheng cared about most was Nigel Martyn's return.
The 38-year-old keeper had been out for a month.
Now that he was back?
He looked average at best.
Neither goal was fully his fault.
But if he'd been sharp, he could've saved both.
Seeing this, Yang Cheng knew the moment had come.
Sure enough, that night, Jonathan Barnett called again.
Everton's new bid: £5.5 million. Final offer.
"You know," Barnett began, "Everton's most expensive transfer ever was for Beattie, from Southampton."
"Before that, their record was £5.75 million for Barmby from Middlesbrough."
It was a clear signal.
Barnett was saying: Come on, don't push it. Know when to stop. Everton can't go higher.
Yang Cheng chuckled. "Alright, Jonathan. Since you've come this far, I'll give you a break."
Barnett lit up with delight.
If this deal went through, his payday would be massive.
But Yang Cheng's next words nearly made him choke.
"Just like Beattie—£6 million. One price. No negotiation."
Barnett thought he'd misheard.
So this is your version of "giving me face"?
I'm paying you a favor… and now I owe you even more?
But he understood immediately.
Yang Cheng's true bottom line was £6 million.
Even £5.5 million had probably been acceptable.
But by demanding Beattie-level money, Yang Cheng was drawing a psychological line.
After all, Beattie was a proven Premier League striker.
What right did Joe Hart, a teenage keeper, have to command the same price?
But Barnett wasn't going to challenge that logic.
That was Michael Dunford's problem—not his.
The money wasn't coming out of his pocket.
He only cared about one thing:
Was the deal happening or not?
"I'll pass the message along," Barnett said, resigned.
He had finally seen through it all.
The meteoric rise of Bayswater Chinese in just two years—now on the brink of Premier League promotion—had one undeniable key: Yang Cheng.
Say what you will, but when it came to deal-making savvy and psychological warfare, how many executives in the Premier League's 20 clubs could match him?
Everton had been played like a fiddle.
And it helped, of course, that they were being strung up by none other than Jonathan Barnett.
"By the way, Jonathan," Yang Cheng shifted the conversation casually, "speaking of Beattie… has Southampton's financial situation improved at all?"
When it came to other clubs' affairs, Barnett suddenly wasn't so weary.
"Improved? Not a chance. No one even knows how much they really owe—rumors say at least £20 million."
Yang Cheng winced. That's about what we owe, too.
"They're second from bottom in the Premier League now. Relegation's looming, the squad's in disarray, even Beattie's gone."
"If they go down, it'll be a disaster. Just look at Leeds—they're the cautionary tale."
In Yang Cheng's past life, Southampton did end up following in Leeds United's footsteps after relegation: bankruptcy, collapse, free fall.
It wasn't until the Liebherr family bought the club that the Saints finally turned the tide.
"Not even Beattie's transfer helped them?" Yang Cheng asked.
"Not really. When Southampton signed Beattie from Blackburn, they agreed to pay 20% of the fee in training compensation. So they'll only pocket £4.8 million."
And that was being paid in installments.
"Thanks, Jonathan."
Yang Cheng ended the call.
Southampton's academy was good, but many of their talents actually came from Greater London and Wales.
Frankly, Yang Cheng would love for them to be relegated early—it'd make recruitment easier.
…
The next day, Everton's general manager Michael Dunford came south to London again.
This time, he brought a team and sat down face-to-face with Yang Cheng.
Finally, both sides reached an agreement:
£6 million.
Joe Hart officially transferred to Everton.
From there, the two clubs hammered out the payment terms. Yang Cheng left that to Lin Zhongqiu.
Once the deal was finalized, Dunford headed straight back to Merseyside.
That same night, all transfer documents were rushed through—just before the January window slammed shut.
By the morning of February 1st, headlines across the British press screamed:
"Joe Hart Joins Everton for £6M!"
While the media buzzed over Everton's bold move, the players at Bayswater Chinese were much more shocked by their new teammate:
Manuel Neuer.
The German goalkeeper had arrived in London the same day Joe Hart's deal was completed.
Yang Cheng arranged for him to stay at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, a short walk from the training ground.
Housing would be handled later.
Before the translator arrived, Yang Cheng and Piszczek took on translation duties themselves.
For most of the players, it was a complete surprise.
Just days ago, they'd heard whispers about Hart leaving. Besides Danny Coyne, everyone was rattled.
Now a new keeper had landed—just 18 years old—and no one had seen it coming.
But that's how professional football works.
Everyone had to adapt.
And if they were being honest, who among them wouldn't leave if Everton came knocking?
Bayswater Chinese had momentum, yes. But the future? Uncertain.
They didn't even own their stadium yet.
Everton, on the other hand, were fourth in the Premier League, with consistent success in recent years.
Who wouldn't want that?
Yang Cheng ignored the noise.
His focus was helping Neuer understand the tactical system and settle into the team.
And as he predicted, Neuer quickly realized that Yang Cheng's demands for a goalkeeper—while awkward for some—fit him perfectly.
…
February 5th, Championship Round 31.
Bayswater Chinese hosted Derby County.
In just under a week at the club, Neuer replaced Joe Hart as the starting keeper—and he showed no signs of nerves.
In fact, he seemed genuinely excited.
Riding the momentum of their League Cup win and with a full week of rest, Bayswater Chinese attacked from the opening whistle.
20th minute: Ribéry opened the scoring.
9 minutes later, he struck again—a brace, assisted by Modrić.
Before the half was out, Lennon and Kitson each added a goal.
4–0 by halftime.
After the break, Derby clawed one back early, breaching Neuer's goal.
But Kitson and substitute Ashley Young added two more.
Derby netted a consolation in the 68th minute.
Final score: 6–2.
…
Riding this wave of momentum:
Round 32: 2–0 away win over CardiffRound 33: 2–1 home win over SunderlandRound 34: 1–0 home win over Millwall
In Round 35, with the League Cup final against Chelsea just three days away, Yang Cheng fielded a full reserve lineup—and lost 0–1 away to Leeds.
After 35 rounds, Bayswater Chinese had 4 wins and 1 loss in their last 5 league matches, collecting 67 points—putting them top of the Championship.
Close behind:
Wigan: 66 pointsSunderland: 66 pointsIpswich: 66 points
A four-horse race.
Behind them:
West Ham: 57Preston: 56Sheffield United: 55
QPR had dropped to 13th—promotion hopes essentially over.
After the loss to Leeds, Yang Cheng gave the team a short break in London.
Then they traveled south to Cardiff.
The League Cup final was coming.
Final preparations had begun.
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