novelhk Chapter 256
Chapter 256
After Li Shiguang finished speaking, the other end of the phone fell into a brief silence, leaving only Laporta's slight breathing.
"Are you serious?" A moment later, Laporta's panting voice came from the phone.
Hmm?
Li Shiguang thought Laporta would reject him directly, but he didn't expect that he would get this answer.
His heart suddenly became hot.
That's Messi. If he can really buy Leeds United, what a sky-high price he will be sold for in a few years! ?
So Li Shiguang hurriedly asked, and even addressed Laporta more formally: "Of course I am serious. From what Mr. Laporta said, can we talk about this deal?"
"Of course!" Laporta's voice was so firm that he seemed to be praying to God, "150 million euros, the money is in the account, and the person will take it away!"
Li Shiguang: ? ? ?
Are you kidding me?
150 million euros! I bought it because my brain was short-circuited!
"Mr. Laporta, isn't this a bit too much? I asked sincerely, but you are kidding me?" Li Shiguang, who felt offended, immediately became cold in his voice, and the little bit of good impression he had on Laporta before was gone.
As if sensing Li Shiguang's anger, Laporta quickly explained: "No! Li, you misunderstood me! Listen to my explanation..."
It turned out that Laporta did not lie, he really wanted to sell Messi.
The reason is also very simple. Since Messi was promoted to the first team in 2004, his greedy father has asked Barcelona for a salary increase no less than 4 times.
Until the last contract renewal, Messi, who had just turned 19, had received a terrifying annual salary of 5 million euros in Barcelona.
What is this concept? You should know that Henry, who is about to join Barcelona, has an annual salary of only 6.8 million euros!
What makes Laporta uncomfortable is.
Originally, he was strongly opposed to agreeing to Messi's father's salary increase request in such a short time. In his opinion, this was very detrimental to Barcelona's salary structure and locker room unity.
Although Laporta is the chairman of Barcelona's board of directors, the contract renewal with Messi was a decision made after the entire management of the board of directors discussed it. His voice alone did not play a big role at this moment. In the end, Barcelona still met the requirements of Messi's father, completed the contract renewal with Messi, and increased his liquidated damages to 150 million euros.
If someone is willing to pay 150 million euros in liquidated damages now, Laporta will definitely do his best to persuade the members of the board of directors to let him go!
After listening to Laporta, Li Shiguang suddenly remembered that he seemed to have seen relevant news reports in his previous life.
It is said that Messi asked Barcelona for a total of 9 salary increases during his time at Barcelona, and because Messi took the lead in frequently asking for salary increases in the later period, other main players also asked for salary increases.
This made Barcelona overwhelmed, so much so that after Messi left, Laporta also sold 25% of Barcelona's TV broadcast revenue for the next 25 years to solve the financial pressure.
However, these are news reports, and Li Shiguang does not know how true they are.
But from Laporta's current attitude, at least it is true that Messi's father likes to give his son a raise!
Realizing the seriousness of the problem, Li Shiguang immediately retracted his idea of buying Messi.
Let's not talk about whether the 150 million euros are worth it.
If I really bought him to Leeds United on a whim, what if his father surrounded me every day and asked me to raise Messi's salary, wouldn't it be annoying!
Forget it, forget it, I can't afford it.
Realizing that he almost got on the pirate ship, Li Shiguang immediately stopped the idea of buying Messi in his heart and took the initiative to change the subject.
"Hahaha, Huo An, I was just joking. I can't afford to buy a player for so much money. If you really want to sell him, you can ask the Russians in London."
"Ah... I knew it." After listening to Li Shiguang's words, Laporta muttered and sighed, "I didn't actually think about selling him. It's just that you suddenly asked me just now, so I just replied casually."
"Yes, yes, let's get back to the point." Li Shiguang took the initiative to mention the two offers from Barcelona, "Toure and Pique, I will sell them to you for 40 million euros. Is it cheap?"
Hearing this price, Laporta's mouth twitched unconsciously, and he asked helplessly: "Li, do you have any special feelings for the number 40 million?"
What does it mean?
Laporta made Li Shiguang a little confused: "No?Why do you say that? "
"Last time you sold Maicon to Calderon, you also quoted 40 million euros... This time..." Laporta hesitated.
"Then you misunderstood me!" Hearing Calderon's name, Li Shiguang also cried out injustice, "Huan! You are different from that despicable Calderon! We are friends! Selling him 40 million euros is because he is doing something behind his back, and I have to charge some interest! But selling you 40 million euros is because Toure and Pique are really worth 40 million euros! ! ”
So I should be grateful to you, right?
Laporta was almost confused by Li Shiguang’s words.
What do you mean by selling to him for interest? Selling to me means it’s really worth it!
Isn’t it still 40 million euros? What’s the difference?
Having seen Li Shiguang’s ability to make jokes, Laporta decided not to beat around the bush with him. If he continued to beat around the bush, his hair, which was already gradually graying, would probably turn even grayer.
After reorganizing his thoughts, Laporta said seriously, “Li, 40 million euros is too expensive. You know we just bought Henry and it’s already cost a lot of money. So, I’ll offer a sincere price of 30 million euros, and you sell them both to me as a package! How about it?”
“No, this price is too low. Toure alone is worth 30 million euros! ”
“Your price is too exaggerated, Li. We bought Toure just to enrich the lineup. Have you ever seen a rotation player sold for 30 million euros?”
“Isn’t Lamedal a rotation player at your place? Why didn’t you say it was expensive when you bought him for 41 million euros last year!”
“How dare you say that? I feel more and more that the media outside are justified in calling you Leeds United a black shop. Since Lamedal came to Camp Nou, his condition has not been as good as when he was in Leeds United!”
“What does this have to do with me? You should talk to Frank. It means that he has not found the correct instructions for using Lamedal!”
Laporta:...............
The two club bosses argued on the phone like children.
Seeing that he still couldn’t convince Li Shiguang, Laporta finally gave in a little. After all, Deco is old, and Toure is still very important to Barcelona now.
“Well, I’ll add a little bit, 33 million euros, you let me take them both away! "
33 million euros?
After hearing this price, Li Shiguang still felt it was a bit low. He rolled his eyes and was about to continue to bargain.
Suddenly, a name popped into his mind and made him change his mind about the price.
With a smirk on his face, Li Shiguang said, "33 million euros? It's not impossible, but you have to include a player from your youth training camp in the deal!"