Chapter 22: Mogi's Purpose

David felt a twinge of confusion as Mogi spoke about a potential "deeper cooperation" between Juventus and Notts County. He couldn't understand why Mogi, known for his role in past football scandals, would offer help to a relatively small club like Notts County. Juventus, one of the elite teams in Italy, had no need to collaborate with a second-tier English club, and the offer to loan young players felt questionable at best.

David couldn't shake the feeling that Mogi had some ulterior motive. Juventus, with its elite status, had many better options for developing young talent than a team in the English Second Division. There was no reason for such a partnership unless Mogi had something else in mind.

As Mogi continued to speak, David tried to deflect the offer. "If we could establish a deeper partnership with Juventus, that would be ideal, but I'm more inclined to focus on areas like youth training and medical care. Juventus could bring its youth development philosophy to England, which could be very beneficial. As for loaning players, I'm not sure that would be appropriate. The level of the league is too low for young players to get the development they need. It could end up delaying their growth, which would be a disservice to Notts County."

Mogi remained calm, his expression unchanged, but internally, he sneered at David's response. He knew this young man had a lot to learn about the harsh realities of football management. The suggestion to bring Juventus' youth training system to Notts County was, in Mogi's mind, ambitious but naive.

Mogi put down his knife and fork. He had already finished his meal, but he made no move to leave. "I understand what you're saying, but I must point out that the level of English League 2 is indeed lower. You have several talented players on your team. If they stay in a league like that for too long, their potential will go to waste. It would be a tragedy."

David felt his irritation rising. He was beginning to understand Mogi's real intentions, and they didn't sit well with him. The proposal to sell players was becoming clear. "I think players like Alonso, Iniesta, and Ram are very talented. It would be better for them to join Juventus, where they can develop further on a bigger stage. Notts County would also benefit financially from such a move. It's a win-win for everyone."

David's realization hit hard. Mogi wasn't trying to help Notts County grow or prosper; he was trying to take advantage of them, purchasing the best players from a club that, in Mogi's eyes, was still insignificant. His proposal to "sell" Notts County's rising stars under the guise of helping them grow was a classic power play.

David was clear-headed, and this idea didn't sit well with him. He thought about how much effort he had put into bringing these talented players to Notts County. The emotional and financial investment was enormous, and the idea of selling them to a club like Juventus was unacceptable.

Mogi, who had not watched the game, was unaware of the full context. He had assumed that the players at Notts County were just typical lower-league talents—raw, unpolished, and discarded by bigger clubs. However, after watching the match against Juventus, his opinion started to change. The potential of the players, especially Alonso, Iniesta, and Ram, was undeniable. These were players with real talent, players who could become top stars in European football. The game had shown Mogi that Notts County was more than just a small team; they had the potential to disrupt the footballing world.

"Mr. Mogi, Juventus spent over 170 million euros on transfers this summer," David replied, carefully choosing his words. "Are you suggesting that you would spend 20 million euros to buy three players who are not even guaranteed first-team spots?"

Mogi's face tightened at the suggestion of paying 20 million euros for three substitute players. He wasn't happy with the tone of the conversation.

"Of course, I don't expect the three of them to play in Juventus' starting lineup," Mogi said, his voice cold. "But your joke isn't very funny."

David took a sip of his wine and set his glass down. "Maybe you haven't received all the details, Mr. Mogi. Allow me to clarify." David's voice lowered as he began to explain the situation.

"Alonso is the captain of Real Sociedad in La Liga. We bought him for 13 million euros two months ago. Ram is from Bayern Munich's youth academy. Although he was loaned, there's a buyout clause worth 10 million euros. And Iniesta? He's a product of La Masia, a real talent. While his transfer fee wasn't high, he is a cornerstone of our team's rise."

David's calm explanation contrasted sharply with Mogi's growing discomfort. The information David provided made it clear that Notts County wasn't just a random second-tier club. The players they had acquired were quality, and the sums David had paid reflected that.

Mogi's mind raced. He had made a mistake. His underestimation of Notts County's squad had backfired. He had assumed they were just another small club looking to make quick money by selling their assets, but he now realized that these players could play a significant role in top-tier football. This wasn't a simple situation of buying up cheap talent from a second-tier club; this was about players with real potential.

David saw the shift in Mogi's demeanor. The once-confident executive had been caught off-guard. Mogi's initial embarrassment faded, and he tried to regain control of the conversation. "Well, it seems that Notts County has made some bold moves this summer. I must admit, it's impressive. It's not every day you see a second-division club spend so much money."

David, sensing Mogi's change of heart, didn't let up. "I believe in these players, Mr. Mogi. And I think they will help Notts County rise through the ranks."

Mogi smiled, though it was a tight, forced smile. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps Notts County will be a force in the future. I certainly hope to see our clubs face off in Europe one day."

David didn't know if Mogi was being sincere or just offering polite words. But one thing was certain—he now understood Mogi's purpose. It wasn't about cooperation or helping Notts County grow. It was about acquiring talent for Juventus at a price that suited him.

As the meeting came to a close, Mogi changed the subject to general club management, speaking about his experiences with Juventus. David listened carefully, knowing that even though the footballing environments in Italy and England were very different, there were many lessons to be learned.

"Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, we'll meet in Europe," Mogi said, his voice tinged with emotion as they said their goodbyes.

David didn't know if Mogi's words were sincere or simply a polite farewell, but he knew one thing for sure: that day would come. Notts County would rise, and they would make their mark in Europe.