Chapter 968： too expensive?

Some people say that the law of conservation of energy also exists in professional football, so strong teams and weak teams are always ups and downs.

Every summer transfer, there are always a few happy and sad.

When Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton announced the introduction of the two superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in the southern part of the United Kingdom, in Manchester, which is far away in the northwest of England, Manchester United was convening an urgent core high-level meeting. , Urgently discuss countermeasures.

Brothers Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer, the helm of the Glazer family, both appeared at Old Trafford at the same time, and attended the meeting, except for the club’s chief executive Ed Woodward. In addition to the high-level, there are club coach Giggs.

But the most surprising thing is that Ferguson, who has already announced his retirement, is also on the list.

Some media previously disclosed that although Manchester United managed to win the Champions League last season, the management was not satisfied with Giggs’ coaching. They believed that he could not manage Manchester United for the time being, so Woodward and Ancelotti were once reported. Had contact.

But later, with Ancelotti’s announcement to coach Southampton, the media once again reported that Ferguson had secured Giggs to the management, which allowed the Welshman to retain his position as Manchester United coach.

Now, this group of helms who can dominate the fate of Manchester United anytime, anywhere, is having a headache.

"Adidas' Herbert Heiner called us before. He said that although the team has exceeded expectations in terms of jersey sales, they are still not satisfied with the team's performance on the court. They want Manchester United Able to come up with a Premier League hegemon in the new season, and a performance worthy of that sky-high sponsorship fee."

In order to grab Manchester United from Nike, Adidas paid a astronomical transfer price of 750 million pounds for ten years.

Such a blockbuster contract, looking at the entire European football arena, is second only to the sponsorship contract of Southampton and Nike.

Although the Saints’ jersey sponsorship has not been announced to the public, it is revealed that after signing Messi, Nike will pay more than 90 million pounds in sponsorship to the Saints every year. Converted into euros, it has long exceeded 100 million.

According to Adidas's assessment, Manchester United can bring about two million jerseys to Adidas every year, bringing in nearly 70 million pounds in profits, and in terms of jersey derivatives, it can bring about 10 million dollars to Adidas every year. Pound profit

This data can be said to have created a new record in Manchester United's history.

However, compared with Southampton, this data is still much inferior.

According to Nike official data, after Nike cooperates with Southampton, it can sell 3 million jerseys every year, which does not include the special jerseys exclusively for China. It is expected to bring more than 100 million pounds to Nike every year. Profit.

But this is just a jersey.

In the past few years, Saints has been committed to launching their own casual clothing brand, and they cooperated with Nike to independently launch the brand of Saints. The result was an instant success, sales are rising, and the market prospects are very gratifying.

Coupled with the fact that the Saints have been so brilliant in recent years, and the team is full of stars, it is only natural that Nike has given soaring sponsorship.

The situation for Manchester United is not so good.

If it is said that in the commercial field, it can barely hold the Red Devils sign, then in the field of sports, Manchester United has been pushed down from the throne of the Premier League hegemony by Southampton. In addition, the results of the past two seasons are not ideal. How can I not be satisfied with the sky-high sponsorship of Manchester United's Adidas.

Even, not only Adidas, but other sponsors are also dissatisfied.

"Our transfer operation this summer, although we have brought in Gaitan and Salvio, it is not enough. What they want is not only to win the Champions League, but to regain the status and influence of the Premier League hegemony. !"

Joel Glazer said here, his gaze swept over Ferguson and Giggs, the two masters and apprentices, and looked at Ed Woodward.

"Ed, I need your explanation!"

Obviously, he is here to be held accountable.

That is, the team has so bad signings so far, what is going on?

It was said before that the club has no money and that all the income goes into the pockets of the Glazer family, which caused fans to complain.

Well, now we have taken out the money, and we have also given a promise of 200 million pounds in one go. Can we sign in?

Do you want the Glazer family to keep carrying this black pot?

"Joel, on the issue of signings, I admit that when the management is operating, there are indeed negligence and errors."

Ed Woodward admitted frankly, "However, we did put a lot of energy into operation this summer, but the problem now is that we have money, but people don't sell it!"

"Who won't sell?" Joel Glazer asked.

In these years, in the professional football field, are there players that money can't buy?

"Now the most high-quality star resources are basically concentrated in the four teams, that is, the Saints, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona. These four teams almost include the best star resources in the world, even if they have money. It's hard to buy the players they have on hand."

Ed Woodward is also very helpless about this.

He wanted to bring in Gareth Bale and Neymar, but Real Madrid and Barcelona didn't talk to him at all, and just returned him. Fuck off!

"Are the other teams gone?" Avram Glazer frowned and asked.

There is no doubt that, listening to Ed Woodward's tone, Manchester United has fallen out of Europe's First Army.

"No, there are, such as Cavani and Royce of Tottenham Hotspur, Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Touré and De Bruyne of Manchester City, or something like Madrid Competitive Isco, Cork, Diego Costa and Griezman are all very good first-class stars."

Ed Woodward let out a long sigh when he said this.

"However, these teams are basically ambitious. Needless to say, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Atletico Madrid have improved their finances a lot in the past few years. Coupled with the rich income of the Champions League, they are not at all. We need to rely on selling stars to support the team’s operations."

What Ed Woodward did not say is that with the completion and opening of the new Atletico Madrid stadium this summer, the financial income of the Sheets Corps has been greatly improved. In the next few years, Atletico Madrid is bound to show its strengths.

In this case, the average age of the team is so young and the potential is limitless. How could the Sheet Corps sell people?

Ferguson on the side also sighed, "In recent years, Europe has poured in a lot of capital, and high-level quality stars have become very scarce. Even with the increase in the purchasing power of the Premier League, and foreign investment gradually entering Milan, Lencia and other teams have greatly increased their purchasing power."

"On the one hand, the progress of talent training is slow, but on the other, the purchasing power is increasing. This has directly led to an increasing bubble in the European football transfer market, and even a situation in which players are in short supply."

The Glazer brothers glanced at each other, and they all saw the worry in each other's eyes.

What it means, they know better than anyone else.

"Do you have any good suggestions now?" Joel Glazer sighed and asked.

Ed Woodward is gone, he can only look at Ferguson.

Ferguson shook his head, knowing in his heart that a very important reason for Manchester United's current predicament is that the Glazer family's business strategy in the past few years has directly led to Manchester United's talent gap.

If there is no influx of foreign capital, without the rise of Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, then Manchester United will continue to defend the title of Premier League hegemony, and it should still be very moist, but now...

"Up to now, there is no good way. On the one hand, we can only continue to introduce players like Gaitan and Sasirvio, who are not first-line players in Europe, but have good strength, and on the other hand, focus on introducing outstanding players. I can’t think of any other ways to cultivate the potential rookies."

Ed Woodward smiled bitterly after listening, "In fact, even players like Gaitan and Salvio are worth a lot of money."

Who said no?

Talent shortage and capital surplus, the direct consequence of which is that players’ worth and salaries have risen.

Think about it, the Glazer brothers can't help feeling regretful.

Why did you sell Cristiano Ronaldo in the first place?

Look now, I’m 30 years old, but the Portuguese still bought 100 million pounds, especially cash!

If you didn't sell the Portuguese back then, and keep it until now, Manchester United doesn't know how much money it will make.

Thinking of this, the Glazer brothers are really blue with regret.

Who would have thought that capital would flood in so ferociously?

"What goal does the team have now?" Joel Glazer asked again.

Giggs looked at Ferguson, then at Ed Woodward, and replied: “We need to strengthen the signings in the midfield and the defense line. Among them, the midfielder is our goal for the Argentine midfielder Bigley in Monaco. Ya, but..."

"But what?" Joel Glazer heard Giggs' hesitation.

Ed Woodward said by the side: “It was reported that Monaco and Barcelona had made great progress in the transfer negotiations of Bigglia under the lead of the famous agent Mendes. It is said that Barcelona The offer was as high as 35 million euros, which is for a 29-year-old midfielder..."

"too expensive?"

Joel Glazer frowned, and he felt distressed too.

What's special, 35 million euros, introducing a 29-year-old midfielder?

But the problem is, you can’t stand it, it’s hard to find talent.

"Go talk to Monaco right away, we decided to offer a higher price than Barcelona, ​​40 million...no, 45 million euros, we must go to Biglia!" Joel Glazer said loudly.

At this time, a blockbuster signing, for Manchester United, is more than just signings.

More importantly, we must show our determination and show it to fans and sponsors!

"Then the defense line..."

"You draw up a list and let us decide!"

"Then about De Gea's transfer to Real Madrid..."

"As you said, excellent players are in short supply, and good goalkeepers are hard to find. Try your best to keep them!"

Ed Woodward smiled wryly.

Do your best to keep De Gea?

Real Madrid believes that they really think you want to sell, they have already sold Casillas, but now you are going to repent and keep De Gea?

Real Madrid will definitely blow their lungs!

"By the way, we also heard that recently the Premier League wants to reform the broadcasting rights distribution model?" Joel Glazer asked concerned.

Broadcasting fee income is a major source of income for Manchester United, which is not to be careless.

"Yes, the initiative jointly put forward by Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City will be voted on at the chairperson summit in August. Overall, it will benefit the top-ranked teams in the league. Therefore, we will fully support Southampton."

Joel Glazer nodded, as long as it is good for Manchester United.

Ed Woodward quickly said again: "However, I received the news, and the voice of objection was not small, so it is hard to say."

"Someone objected? Who?" Joel Glazer asked strangely. (To be continued) [This text is provided by Qihang Update Team@冰山berg123]