"Boss," Michael entered John's office in a hurry.
"What?" John stood up from his chair after seeing Michael.
"Campo's agent called," Michael said.
"And what did they decide?" John asked.
He was waiting for this with a bated breath. This was the most important and high profile transfer of this transfer window and John wanted this move to succeed with every fibre of his being.
"He agreed to our contract," Michael said.
John let out the breath that he was holding. He was more relieved than happy after hearing this. He didn't want to admit it but he was very nervous about this transfer.
'Now, I don't have to admit it,' John thought.
"That's good news," John said, "When is he arriving?"
Even though they had agreed to sign the contract, they may still take some time to arrive to Leicester. Simeone wanted everyone available for the training camp on 18th June, but with just 3 days remaining, Campo might be late for the training camp.
"I talked to them and they will arrive tomorrow for the medical," Michael said.
"Then we can go on with players unveiling as planned," John said.
They had planned to present their new players to Leicester on 17th June. Even if they didn't have Campo, they would have gone ahead with it, but it would have lost a bit of shine.
Campo was the biggest player they signed in the transfer window. John didn't agree with it, but Campo would be the player Leicester fans and media would be focusing on.
"We have yet to arrange the press conference on 17th June," Michael said.
"I'll talk to Sean to get it done," John said, "What about the loan deal, have you guys decided who to sign?"
John had decided to leave the loan transfer to Simeone and Michael's discretion because he didn't know about the differences between the proposed players and their abilities.
John remembered that Jamie O'hara became a football pundit after his football career, but his playing career was mostly spent in Championship when Leicester moved up to Premier League. That's why John didn't know much about him as a player.
"We're talking to Liverpool for the loan of Danny Guthrie. It's going well and I think we'll be able to reach a deal soon," Michael said.
John remembered Guthrie somewhat. Guthrie played for Newcastle for a few seasons before joining Reading.
"Alright," John said as he sat down.
"How is George coping?" John asked to Michael.
"He's doing okay, though not understanding each other's language is a problem," Michael said.
George was in charge of the Player Liasion for Leicester. He had spent all his life in Leicester and had been with Leicester F.C. since 2004.
New players that decided to sign for Leicester had started arriving and George had the job of getting them settled in Leicester until they can find their own residence. It wasn't a big and glamorous job but an important one nonetheless as it was the first impression of Leicester as a city and the club for the players.
There were many such roles at the clubs who weren't appreciated enough but needed to do their job well for a smooth running of the club
"George is a nice guy, he wouldn't let this set him back," John said while Michael just smiled wryly.
When John came to Leicester after buying the club, George helped him to get an apartment on rent for the time being, but John hadn't bought a house yet, so he still was living in the same apartment.
He had been very helpful during John's first few weeks in Leicester and John had got to know him during that time period.
John himself would have gone if he was of any help, but the only language John knew was English. John had decided to learn a new language while he was on the trip across Europe, but he hadn't found the time yet.
Players will also be trying their best to learn English now that they were here, but for some time they would have difficulty in understanding and speaking English.
'After the season starts,' John decided that he would learn a new language after the season began and his workload decreased.
"Okay, tell the press officer to communicate this news to the local newspaper, and yeah, tell him to mention the cost too," John said.
After talking with Sean yesterday, John had already given the press officer an extension of 2 years.
"Why the cost in this case?" Michael asked
While they had released the news of player signings, in most of the cases they had kept the transfer fee undisclosed. Clubs keep transfer fee undisclosed for many reasons like when they felt they have paid an extravagant sum for the player and fans aren't going to like it if they don't start delivering on the pitch soon.
Every players needs some time to adapt to a different league before performing their best, especially in Premier League. But if a lavish amount was spent on the player, fans expect him to deliver from the first match and not much time is given to the player.
That's why most of the club keep the transfer fee undisclosed.
But in Leicester's case, it was different. John had decided to keep the transfer fee undisclosed although the transfer fee wasn't high, but it was high for unknown players. Though it did not please the newspapers, it will help Simeone and the players to avoid criticism from fans and media for some time.
Fans would have been happy if Leicester got a recognized player for even higher transfer fee, but for unknown players, they were unlikely to have much patience.
That's why Ivan Campo's signing was crucial for non sporting reasons too. Even though John felt the transfer fee was high for such an old player, he was a well recognized name and will help deflect some oncoming criticism from the fans and the media.