Chapter 29: Lionel Messi

After finalizing the transfer for Stam, Miller wasted no time and flew straight to Barcelona. This was a moment he had anticipated since taking over Manchester City, and now, as he approached La Masia's grounds, he felt both excitement and determination. La Masia was the famed academy, a veritable goldmine of talent, and Miller's eyes were set on a young Argentine who was about to turn sixteen—Lionel Messi. He was ready to offer him a professional contract.

Barcelona, however, was on the brink of a significant transition, with an upcoming presidential election that could shake up its leadership. The current president, Joan Gaspart, faced a strong challenge from Joan Laporta, a familiar face to fans. Laporta, who would later lead Barcelona through the successful eras of "Dream Team II" and "Dream Team III," was seen as an ideal fit for the role despite the controversy surrounding his later decision to part ways with Messi. Gaspart, on the other hand, had led Barcelona into decline, with the club slipping to the bottom half of the league standings. While Gaspart was known as a decent man, his presidency was not particularly successful.

With the election set for July, Miller knew he had a window to secure some of La Masia's top prospects. Gaspart, eager to leave a mark amidst his precarious standing, met with Miller and Bernstein personally. The meeting couldn't have come at a better time for Gaspart, who desperately needed funds to compete with Real Madrid's offer for David Beckham. Both clubs had pushed their bids to €40 million, but Manchester United had yet to respond, leaving Gaspart in a nerve-racking position. Without much financial wiggle room, Barcelona was at risk of losing out to its wealthier rival, Real Madrid.

So when Miller and Bernstein arrived expressing interest in purchasing Messi, Gaspart saw it as a chance to bolster his funds. Although Messi was talented, his smaller stature and reliance on growth hormone treatments gave Gaspart some doubts about his potential longevity. If Manchester City was willing to pay £10 million, that would be a monumental windfall he could use to secure Beckham.

Gaspart warmly greeted Miller and Bernstein, saying, "I'm grateful to see you both here—anything to strengthen our bonds in European football."

Miller responded with a smile. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. President. We're grateful for the hospitality."

Gaspart's warmth was palpable, perhaps even too much, as Bernstein noted with some amusement. After some small talk, they turned to business. Miller made his intentions clear: "Mr. Gaspart, we're here to discuss Lionel Messi from your youth team, as we've discussed over the phone."

Gaspart paused, pretending to consider his options. "Messi is a rare talent. Under normal circumstances, we would never consider selling him."

But Miller saw through the act. Gaspart had shown up himself, indicating he was willing to negotiate. Undeterred, Miller made an assertive offer of £5 million.

Internally, Gaspart was thrilled—this amount was close to his target price. Yet he hesitated, feigning reluctance. "Messi is a potential star for us," he said. "However, your interest is undeniable, and I respect that. If you could raise it to £10 million, I'd agree to the transfer."

Bernstein, standing beside Miller, felt the price was already high given Messi's youth and uncertain future, but Miller didn't hesitate. "£10 million it is," he replied, sealing the deal.

Gaspart's reaction was a mix of joy and surprise, while Bernstein was internally reeling. "£10 million! We didn't plan for this much," he thought, watching as Miller decisively handed over the funds. Gaspart, meanwhile, couldn't believe his good fortune, thinking to himself, "Perhaps I should have asked for more."

As they shook on the deal, Miller then surprised Gaspart with an unexpected follow-up. "Mr. Gaspart, I'm also interested in another of your youth players."

Gaspart's eyes lit up. "Which player might that be?" he asked, ready to capitalize on Miller's willingness to spend.

"Cesc Fàbregas," Miller replied without hesitation.

Though he knew Miller was generous, Gaspart was caught off guard by his eye for talent. In his view, Fàbregas was more promising than Messi because of his physical resilience and technical skills. Still, he wasn't eager to part with him.

Miller went ahead and made an offer. "Eight million pounds," he stated, laying his terms on the table.

Gaspart was stunned. This was yet another substantial offer, more than he'd anticipated for a youth player. Though reluctant to part with Fàbregas, the sum was too tempting to ignore. Sensing the chance to negotiate further, he countered with a price of £12 million.

Miller thought about it briefly before offering £10 million. Gaspart hesitated but eventually agreed, sealing a second massive deal with Manchester City. Bernstein, watching Miller finalize the agreement, could hardly contain his shock. "Why is he spending so much?" he thought, feeling both admiration and trepidation.

As they left Barcelona, Miller had succeeded in strengthening Manchester City's future lineup with two of La Masia's brightest talents. Gaspart, meanwhile, felt he had secured a lifeline, able to push his pursuit of Beckham with fresh funds. The deals for Messi and Fàbregas were complete, and as they returned to England, Miller was already envisioning Manchester City's future lineup. With young talents and seasoned players alike, he was assembling a team to reckon with, proving he was willing to make bold investments in Manchester City's journey to the top.