Football giants

Chapter 966 Too Expensive?
Some people say that the law of energy conservation also exists in professional football, so strong teams and weak teams always fluctuate.

Every time there is a transfer in the summer, there are always some happy and some sad.

When Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton announced the introduction of two superstars, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, in southern England, Manchester United, far away in Manchester in the northwest of England, was urgently holding a core high-level meeting to discuss countermeasures.

The helm of the Glazer family, Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer brothers, both appeared at Old Trafford at the same time. In addition to the club's chief executive Ed Woodward and other high-level officials, there was also the club's head coach Giggs.

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

It was previously disclosed by the media that although Manchester United managed to return to the Champions League last season, the management was not satisfied with Giggs' coaching and believed that he could not take charge of Manchester United for the time being, so it was once reported that Woodward had contact with Ancelotti.

But later, with Carlo Ancelotti announcing to coach Southampton, the media once again reported that Ferguson had tried to protect Ryan Giggs from the management, which allowed the Welshman to retain his position as Manchester United coach.

Today, this group of helmsmen who can dominate the fate of Manchester United anytime, anywhere, are having a headache.

"Herbert Hainer from Adidas called us before. He said that although the team exceeded expectations in terms of jersey sales, they were still not satisfied with the team's performance on the pitch.

In order to snatch Manchester United from Nike, Adidas paid a sky-high transfer price of 5000 million pounds over ten years.

Such a heavy contract, looking at the entire European football, is second only to the sponsorship contracts between 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 the Saints annual sponsorship fees of more than 9000 million pounds, converted into euros, which has already exceeded [-] million.

According to Adidas' assessment, Manchester United can bring about 200 million jersey sales to Adidas every year, bringing a profit of nearly 7000 million pounds, and in terms of jersey derivatives, it can probably bring Adidas a profit of 1000 million pounds every year

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’s official data, after Nike cooperates with Southampton, it can sell 300 million jerseys every year, which does not include the special jerseys exclusively for China, which is expected to bring profits of over [-] million pounds to Nike every year.

But that's just the jersey.

In the past few years, Saints have been committed to launching their own casual clothing brand, and they cooperated with Nike to independently launch the Saints brand. The result was an instant hit, sales are rising steadily, and the market prospect is very gratifying.

Coupled with the Saints' outstanding performance in recent years and the star-studded team, it is only natural for Nike to give sky-high sponsorship.

But Manchester United's situation is not so good.

If it is said that in the commercial field, it is still barely supporting the Red Devils sign, then in the competitive field, Manchester United has been pushed down by Southampton to the throne of the Premier League supremacy, coupled with the unsatisfactory results in the past two seasons, this cannot satisfy Adidas, which sponsors Manchester United at a high price.

Even, not just Adidas, other sponsors are equally dissatisfied.

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

When Joel Glazer said this, he glanced over Ferguson and Ryan Giggs and Ed Woodward.

"Ed, I need your explanation!"

Obviously, he's here for accountability.

That is, the team has so far signed so badly, what is going on?

It was said before that the club had no money, and that all income flowed into the pockets of the Glazer family, which caused complaints from fans.

Well, now that we have paid out the money and made a promise of [-] million pounds in one go, what about signings?
Could it be that the Glazer family should always carry this scapegoat?

"Joel, regarding the issue of signings, I admit that there are indeed negligence and mistakes in the operation of the management."

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

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

These days, in the field of professional football, are there still players who can't be bought with money?
"Now the best star resources are basically concentrated in four teams, namely Saints, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona. These four teams almost include the best star resources in the world. Even if you have money, it is difficult to buy the players they have on hand."

Ed Woodward was also very helpless about this.

He wanted to introduce Gareth Bale and Neymar, but Real Madrid and Barcelona didn't talk to him at all, and just replied him with two words, get out!
"Are there no other teams?" Avram Glazer frowned and asked.

There is no doubt that, listening to Ed Woodward's tone, Manchester United has fallen out of the first European group.

"No, there are, such as Tottenham Hotspur's Cavani and Royce, Manchester City's Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure and De Bruyne, or Atletico Madrid's Isco, Cork, Diego Costa and Griezmann, etc., are all very good first-class stars."

When Ed Woodward said this, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"However, these teams are basically ambitious, not to mention Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Atletico Madrid's finances have improved a lot in the past few years. Coupled with the huge income from the Champions League, they don't need to rely on selling stars to support the team's operations."

What Ed Woodward didn't say is that with the completion and opening of Atletico Madrid's new stadium this summer, the financial revenue of the Sheets Corps has been greatly improved. In the next few years, Atletico Madrid is bound to flex its muscles.

In this case, the average age of the team is so young and the potential is unlimited, how could the Sheets Corps sell people?

Ferguson on the side also sighed, "Over the past few years, a large amount of capital has poured into Europe, and high-level high-quality stars have become very scarce. Even with the increase in the purchasing power of the Premier League, and the gradual entry of foreign capital into teams such as AC Milan and Valencia, their purchasing power has been greatly improved."

"On the one hand, the progress of talent training is slow, but on the other hand, the purchasing power is increasing, which directly leads to more and more bubbles in the European football transfer market, and even a situation where players are in short supply."

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

What this means, they know better than anyone else.

"What good suggestions do you have now?" Joel Glazer asked with a sigh.

Ed Woodward had no choice but to 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 business strategy of the Glazer family in the past few years has directly led to a talent gap in Manchester United.

If there is no influx of foreign capital and the rise of Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, then Manchester United will continue to live on the title of Premier League hegemony, and it should still be very nourishing, but now...

"Up to now, there is no good solution. On the one hand, we can only continue to introduce players like Gaitan and Salvio, who are not first-tier players in Europe, but have good strength. On the other hand, we should focus on introducing excellent potential rookies and cultivate them. I can't think of any other way."

Ed Woodward smiled wryly after hearing this, "In fact, even players like Gaitan and Salvio are worth quite a lot."

Who said no?
The shortage of talents and the excess of capital have directly resulted in an increase in the value and salary of players.

Thinking about it, the Glazer brothers couldn't help feeling somewhat regretful.

Why did you sell Cristiano Ronaldo in the first place?

Look at it now, it's 30 years old, but the Portuguese still bought [-] million pounds, and they paid back cash!
If they hadn't sold the Portuguese back then, and kept it until now, Manchester United would not know how much more money they would have made.

Thinking of this, the Glazer brothers were so regretful that their intestines were green.

Who would have thought that capital would pour in so fiercely?
"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 defense. In the midfield, our goal is Monaco's Argentine midfielder Biglia, but..."

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

Ed Woodward said on the sidelines: "It was previously reported that Monaco and Barcelona have made great progress in the transfer negotiations on Biglia under the lead of the famous agent Mendes. It is said that Barcelona's asking price is as high as 500 million euros. For a 29-year-old midfielder..."

"too expensive?"

Joel Glazer frowned, and he also felt distressed.

What the hell, 500 million euros to introduce a 29-year-old midfielder?

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

"Go talk to Monaco right away, we decided to offer a higher price than Barcelona, ​​4000 million... no, 500 million euros, we must win Biglia!" Joel Glazer said loudly.

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

More importantly, show determination to fans and sponsors!
"The back line..."

"You draw up a list and leave it to us to decide!"

"The thing about De Gea going to Real Madrid..."

"You also said that there is a shortage of good players and good goalkeepers are hard to find. Do your best to keep them!"

Ed Woodward smiled wryly.

Do you want to keep De Gea?
Real Madrid believed that you were going to sell, they had already sold Casillas, but now you are going back on your word and forcing De Gea to stay?

Real Madrid is definitely going to explode!

"By the way, we also heard that the Premier League is going to reform the broadcast rights distribution model recently?" Joel Glazer asked with concern.

Broadcast fee income is a major source of income for Manchester United, so don't be careless.

"Yes, the initiative jointly proposed by Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City will be voted on at the chairman's summit in August. On the whole, it is still of great benefit to the top-ranked teams in the league. Therefore, we will fully support Southampton."

Joel Glazer nodded, as long as it was good for United.

Ed Woodward quickly said again: "However, I received the news, and the voices of opposition are not small, so it's hard to say if you can't pass."

"Someone objected? Who?" Joel Glazer asked strangely.

(End of this chapter)