Chapter 502: So Come Join Our Team

But the two showed only lukewarm interest in my question.

"Rooney is still a young player. It's better for him to continue playing as a starter at Everton than to transfer."

That was Paul the agent's response.

"There are rumors about links to Manchester United. Is that not true?"

"…It is true. But he won't transfer this season. Showing better results before transferring would be good for both Rooney and Everton."

Rooney hadn't said a word even after Paul finished speaking.

I turned toward Rooney who was drinking tomato juice.

"Rooney, do you share your agent's opinion?"

"Umm…"

Rooney was watching Paul's reaction.

This troublemaker is still just a kid after all. Paul answered on Rooney's behalf.

"Rooney's thoughts align with mine. He's just too young to explain it eloquently."

I wondered if this person was really saying these things for Rooney's future or for his own benefit.

But I could at least read the agent's greed.

The greed to show more potential at Everton for another year and then transfer him for a higher fee.

"Ellen, could you discuss terms with the agent for a moment? I need to have a private conversation with Rooney."

"That's not acceptable. Just the two of you…"

"You still have final say on the transfer since we need your signatures, right? So don't worry and listen to our terms from Ellen. It's a bit awkward to discuss transfer fees and salaries in front of the player, isn't it?"

"…Alright."

Paul moved to another spot with Ellen. Once Paul was out of sight I asked Rooney.

"Who's your favorite player?"

"…Ronaldo."

Of course a striker would admire Ronaldo.

With a wide smile I continued.

"If you join our club Ronaldo will personally tutor you. Though you won't be able to start right away. I want to make you a legendary striker for Leeds. Don't take that negatively – it just means I want you properly trained."

"…A tutor?"

Rooney's eyes lit up for the first time.

"Yes. We'll include that condition in the contract too. You'll receive tutoring from Ronaldo at least once a week. Assuming he doesn't retire or transfer of course."

"Is that really possible? ManU didn't mention anything like that…"

Of course ManU had good strikers too. But those proud players had no reason to personally tutor such a young player.

But I'd already reached an agreement with Ronaldo before coming here.

The agreement was simple. I just offered him tutoring fees high enough to surprise him.

"I don't know what terms ManU offered. I imagine you want to go there mainly because of the manager."

"How did you know? He said he wanted to develop me personally. Sir Ferguson is a legend to players like us."

How did I know? Because Rooney himself said in an interview that Ferguson was the biggest reason he decided to transfer to ManU.

When players choose teams, it's not just about whether it's a strong team – the manager's influence can't be ignored.

Ferguson had developed many young players into world-class talents under the name 'Fergie's Kids.'

Knowing this, Rooney couldn't help but be pleased about being personally selected by Ferguson.

"But will Ronaldo really tutor me?"

I nodded at Rooney's innocent question.

"Yes. I've already gotten confirmation from Ronaldo. If you join our team, we'll set aside time outside regular training. That's when you'll have personal training sessions with him."

"…"

Rooney glanced briefly at the door where his agent had disappeared before speaking.

"I don't know if Uncle Paul will allow it."

"An agent ultimately negotiates based on the player's wishes. There's no reason for you to worry about the agent's feelings."

"Still… He's the one who recognized my talent and took my hand when I was young. So…"

As I'd noticed earlier he was definitely still young. He was seventeen this year wasn't he?

Though his face didn't show it his behavior was exactly what you'd expect from someone that age.

"Football is now a major business battleground. More than you realize. All sorts of negotiations happen behind the scenes and dirty things often occur. Don't leave everything to your agent Rooney. You might end up at a team you don't want."

When I spoke firmly Rooney's eyes widened in surprise. But he quickly smiled and said.

"Nah Paul wouldn't do that."

"Let me give you an easier example to understand. Say your agent and club executives arrange a transfer you don't want. It might not be so bad if it's to another Premier League team or Spain's Primera Liga Italy's Serie A or Germany's Bundesliga."

Rooney nodded in agreement.

"But what about some unknown club in China? Or we don't even need to go that far – what about a Russian club? If you end up there just for the money? Your talent would be wasted."

"No way… Does that really happen?"

"It happens frequently. You'll find examples if you look."

It really does happen. While it's rare for European players it's common for South American players.

Due to the absurd third-party ownership system players' rights get split into shares like stocks and sold to various companies and people.

Those players end up moving between teams based on money regardless of their wishes and eventually drift to fringe leagues.

Many South American players have lost their talent that way.

"Of course I don't know if that will happen or not. I'm telling you this out of respect for your talent even if you don't choose our team. High transfer fees? Those come naturally when you play well."

"…You must think highly of my talent."

"You were first called up to the England national team earlier this year right?"

Rooney nodded slightly.

When openly told he was wanted for his skill how could a young player not be swayed?

I spoke with a respectful attitude but with conviction.

"I believe you can become a legendary player who scores the most goals ever for the England national team."

"…"

"Don't waste that talent elsewhere. I want you to stay with our team until retirement. Leeds United is just as prestigious as Manchester United. Though we've stumbled due to poor management by executives. Now that I've acquired the club financial issues won't make us stumble anymore."

Rooney watched me with sparkling eyes taking in my confident demeanor.

"That doesn't mean we're trying to sign you cheaply. A player's value is ultimately determined by their transfer fee after all."

"Money isn't the issue. I want to join a team where I can grow and play."

Deep passion resonated in Rooney's voice.

"Our team has to balance Champions League and league matches. Plus there's the FA Cup. We'll guarantee you plenty of starts. Of course this is promised by Manager Hiddink not me."

"Manager Hiddink?"

"He planned to come today but had to return to the Netherlands urgently for personal matters."

"Ah…"

Rooney let out a small sigh. It was understandable he'd want to meet Hiddink who was as renowned as Ferguson.

Should I emphasize this point more?

"Manager Hiddink told me this: Even if we lose ten other players he wants to bring you in. That's why I the club owner came here personally."

"…Did Manager Hiddink really say that?"

"Yes he did. And I too recognized your talent."

Rooney gaped in amazement. He seemed quite moved.

"Wow. Even Sir Ferguson didn't say anything like that…"

"That shows just how much Manager Hiddink wants to develop you doesn't it?"

Just then Ellen and the agent returned through the door.

"So come join our team."

After leaving those final words I turned toward Ellen.

Ellen frowned and shook her head. Seems the negotiations hadn't gone well.

"We'll step out for a brief discussion."

I took Ellen and left the room. As soon as we were out Ellen sighed.

"How did it go?"

"They want 150,000 pounds per week. This is nonsense. Giving such high wages to a young player would completely destroy the team's wage structure."

Ellen looked at me with eyes full of anxiety after speaking with a slight shake of the head.

I patted his shoulder lightly as if to say calm down and asked.

"We were planning to offer 80,000 pounds right?"

"Yes. But with all the option clauses activated it would be between 100,000 and 120,000 pounds per week. Even that's an absurd amount…"

"Hmm. 150,000 pounds."

It was an amount we could afford.

But bringing in a young player at such wages meant we'd have to give even higher wages when renewing contracts with existing players. That's not feasible.

"Besides that he wants extra money for himself saying he'll reduce the transfer fee."

"Acting like a proper thug."

"What will you do? Do we really need to sign this player? Even if the manager wants him being led around by a player could lead to problems like before."

Ellen's expression darkened further as if recalling unpleasant memories.

"Rooney showed great interest in Ronaldo's mentoring. We might be able to bring him to our team by emphasizing that. We can't lose such a promising player to another team because of an agent's greed."

I entered the room with Ellen. The atmosphere was strange.

"Paul I want to go to Leeds."

"No… Rooney. You're still young…"

"I'm seventeen now. That's not young enough to be dismissed. So send me to Leeds."

"Let's talk with ManU again first…"

When we entered Paul glared at me. I raised the corners of my mouth watching him.

After sitting down again I said to Paul.

"You mentioned 150,000 pounds per week? Did you make that demand thinking it was possible? Does ManU offer that much?"

"Is it wrong to ask for justification to choose Leeds over ManU?"

"Justification huh. A player's value is ultimately determined by their transfer fee. Salary comes after."

"That benefits the club not me and Rooney. I'm an agent working for Rooney's interests."

His words sound nice. For the player's sake eh.

With a gentle smile but a cold voice I asked.

"Is that so? You're such a good agent. So how much did you agree to take from ManU under the table?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I heard you asked Ellen for a kickback? Said you'd reduce the transfer fee with Everton in exchange. Is that how much you want? For what reason? Is that for Rooney's benefit or yours?"

Paul looked at Rooney trying to explain.

"No no Rooney. You trust me right? That's all nonsense."

But Rooney's eyes were filled with contempt.

My earlier words seemed to be echoing in his mind.

"Paul did you really do that?"

"I can explain everything. Just wait."

Paul spoke to me still thinking he held the upper hand his attitude arrogant.

"Hey! How can you say such things in front of a young player? We won't be sending Rooney to Leeds. The weekly wage doesn't matter. Let's go Rooney."

But Rooney didn't stand up. Still fixing Paul with a contemptuous gaze he said coldly.

"Uncle Paul. Thanks for everything until now. You're fired."