Chapter 706: Chapter 705: King vs. King in Europe
Mansour was truly surprised.
No wonder everyone likes doing business with Moratti.
Just like everyone likes doing business with Florentino.
These two are really generous when it comes to pricing.
If they want to buy, they give, and they give willingly.
This is what you call a transparent strategy!
Unlike some teams that would try to instigate a player to strike or something.
When it comes to deportment, they really have a firm grasp on it.
However, Mansour still regretfully nodded his head, "I’m sorry, but I can’t make this decision on my own."
Moratti frowned slightly, "You’re the chairman of Manchester City, how can you not have the final say? Is it the price that you’re not satisfied with? I’ve said it before, you name the price. As long as you’re willing, any price is possible!"
Moratti was being straightforward.
And why would I, a Middle Eastern prince, beat around the bush?
Mansour spoke plainly, "In fact, I am completely satisfied with your price, but this matter isn’t solely up to me."
"Whether Adriano can transfer successfully depends on whether Deng Kai is willing to nod his approval."
"If Adriano is irreplaceable in his plans, then we must keep him."
"If Deng Kai feels we can sell to Inter Milan, then we can proceed with the normal process and discuss the specific details of Adriano’s transfer."
Moratti and the high-level officials from Inter were stunned.
Deng Kai’s authority... was it really that great?
So much so that even the club chairman had to defer to his will?
Could the rumors be true?
Deng Kai... owns shares in Manchester City?
To be fair, the world’s economy has been in a slump recently.
Europe has been greatly affected.
Just a couple of years ago, the highest transfer fee had even dipped to sixty million euros.
But since last year, not only has this ceiling price not increased, it has actually significantly decreased.
According to Transfermarkt’s estimates, this year’s highest transfer fee will not exceed forty million euros.
Yet Moratti had just offered a price of fifty million euros.
The shock of Adriano’s hat-trick at the San Siro speaks volumes.
In the last minute of stoppage time in the first half.
Ribery cut inside to draw a free kick.
Deng Kai’s curling shot took down Inter Milan, changing the score to six to three, and effectively ending the game.
In the second half, Vieri left the field due to injury for Inter Milan.
This further intensified Inter fans’ craving for Adriano.
In the end, no more goals were scored.
Manchester City had defeated Inter Milan two to one in the first leg and four to two in the return leg, advancing to the final of the UEFA Europa League.
Former Inter player Adriano, facing his old club, scored a hat-trick and was named Man of the Match.
After the game, Inter fans strongly requested the club to re-sign Adriano.
The media also swarmed around Moratti on the spot, hoping he would come out and dispel the rumors.
Who knew Moratti would instead express excitedly, "Adriano was once called the next Ronaldo at the San Siro."
"But this time, he’s no longer the next Ronaldo."
"Adriano, come back, Inter Milan is waiting for their new king!"
The media on site clicked their tongues in amazement.
This...
Was this a public plea for buying Adriano?
Wouldn’t they be afraid of being gouged by Manchester City?
Meanwhile, on the Manchester City side, Deng Kai also received an interview, "I’ve said countless times that Adriano would become one of the best strikers in the world, but you didn’t believe me."
"As for Adriano’s future, we can’t be certain,"
"We can’t be certain about any player’s future."
"All we can grasp is the present."
"At this moment, I am utterly convinced that I, Adriano, Ribery, Tu Lei, Essien... all of us will raise the European Union Cup! Become the kings of Europe!"
Deng Kai did not directly respond to questions about Adriano’s transfer.
But not responding... isn’t that a response in itself?
At least the Inter Milan fans are optimistic about it.
When Adriano was interviewed, he also kept silent about his future, "I just renewed my contract with Manchester City at the start of the season, and we have a long way to go."
"Of course, I am shocked and excited about the performances I’ve been able to produce at Meazza."
"I love this land, I once belonged to Internacional Milan, and this place will always be my home."
"As for the future, I am unclear. Just like Deng Kai said, the only thing we need to grasp is the present."
"I firmly believe we can stand at the pinnacle of Europe!"
...
"Inter calls for Adriano’s return! The god-forward Adriano breaks the career record for goals this season! Likely to win the European Golden Shoe this season!"
"Invincible Hulk! Inter Milan’s gorgeous defensive lineup is incredibly fragile in front of Adriano!"
"Three heroes may fight Lu Bu, but they can’t fight Adriano! Adriano’s turn and volley shot explodes Inter Milan’s defense line!"
"Deng Kai: We are the kings of Europe!"
"Mourinho: I watched the game between Manchester City and Inter Milan, and the match was spectacular, but the aftermath was ridiculous. Shouldn’t the kings of Europe be the Champions League winners?"
The day before, Porto, led by Mourinho, won 1-0 against Deportivo La Coruña in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal.
Deco’s brilliant pass led to Drogba’s stunning goal to defeat Super Deportivo!
In the first leg of the matchup, in Portugal, with the brilliant performance of defensive talent Pepe, the score was nil-nil.
Porto became the second Portuguese club in the new millennium to make it to the UEFA Champions League final.
The previous was Sporting Lisbon.
And that time, Sporting Lisbon claimed the ultimate trophy!
This year,
Porto is reenacting the miraculous journey of Sporting Lisbon from that year.
They have already claimed the Portuguese Cup and the league championship domestically.
Should they get their hands on the Champions League trophy, they will become the second new millennium European treble winner!
Because of this, the European Competition Points for the Portuguese league have significantly improved.
Some media have calculated,
If Porto wins the Champions League this year, they will surpass the Dutch and French leagues, joining the ranks of the top five European leagues!
The rise of the Portuguese league seems to herald an era where all heroes come from Portugal!
Facing Mourinho’s skepticism,
Deng Kai smiled at the reporters, "Really? Since Mourinho has such confidence, then after this season, we can definitely offer a preview of the UEFA Super Cup to fans all over the world!"
To this, Mourinho declined to respond.
Because Mourinho has already received coaching offers from powerhouses such as Bayern, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Internacional Milan, Roma, and Chelsea.
Real Madrid has offered the most favorable terms.
It’s very likely that Mourinho will take charge at Real Madrid.
However, the variable between the two, aside from the compensation, is control.
Regarding the players, whether it’s Deco, Drogba, or many others in the team, they have all received various offers.
Right now, Porto’s driving force is this spirit.
Once the finals are over, regardless of whether they win, Porto will disband.
There’s no other way.
This is Porto’s limit.
Just like that Sporting Lisbon team before.
So... if there really is a UEFA Super Cup... how could Porto possibly beat Manchester City?
