Chapter 769: Chapter 768
Subsequently, Manchester City also had some transfers going on.
Internazionale Milan urgently sought players, hoping to buy back Adriano.
For this, they were willing to pay the super-high price of 60 million euros!
You must know, this price is one and a half times more than the original highest transfer this year at 38.5 million euros!
Logically, Manchester City would not have let go of Adriano.
But Adriano himself called me, Deng Kai, stated his wishes, and earnestly requested Kai to assist.
Considering that Adriano truly hoped to return to Meazza Stadium and ascend to the throne, and the fact that Internazionale Milan had previously engaged in several pleasant transactions with Manchester City, the club did not make it difficult for Internazionale Milan and easily let him go.
Thus far, in just two to three years’ time, Manchester City made a neat profit from Adriano.
It’s as if Internazionale Milan gave Manchester City a huge amount of money, renting Adriano, a top forward, to Manchester City, helping them win several championships.
At the end of it all, they even have to thank Manchester City for training a king for them.
It must be said, it’s a trade that reaped both fame and fortune.
Manchester City released Adriano also because their squad currently does not lack top forwards.
Villa and Torres are both strikingly outstanding.
While Mandzukic has many shortcomings, his functionality is in place, especially as a pivot.
Following on, Manchester City’s versatile midfielder, Sun Jihai, also chose to transfer.
Everton brought him in for 13 million euros, making him the highest-priced player of Chinese nationality in history.
Sun Jihai, who could only play as a sub, or even the second substitute at Manchester City, would become a strong starter at Everton, a major step forward in his professional career, and Deng Kai was very supportive of his decision.
After all, the team really didn’t lack talent at the fullback position either.
Lahm and Ashley Young are both versatile players at either flank, and Maicon is strong on the right side.
Even Mascherano, Essien, and Vidal could fill in at right back without much issue.
Later on, Manchester City also brought in the young midfielder Modric from Croatia.
This was an unheralded player, but his strength should not be underestimated.
His former team offered him a decade-long contract this summer, which greatly troubled Modric, as such long-term contracts can be a massive constraint for a young player.
It would make his future move to a top-five league more difficult.
During this deadlock, Manchester City approached with an offer of 5 million euros, and Modric successfully joined the club.
Subsequently, Manchester City snatched the young right-back Piszczek from Hertha Berlin as a replacement for that position.
Another topic of contemplation was Bayern Munich’s former youth star Schweinsteiger.
This player, once on par with Lahm as part of the famous ’twin stars,’ was now unable to see his value rise above 10 million euros.
While his good companion Lahm had reached a value of 30 million euros.
His former adversary, Deng Kai, was now the most valuable in football!
Unlike Lahm, who was sweeping up championships with Manchester City, Schweinsteiger had a rugged journey in Bayern’s first team, not favored by the coach, nor able to deliver impressive performances.
Last season, he was even relegated to the reserve team.
In such a situation, Manchester City’s offer to Schweinsteiger seemed especially significant.
With Lahm acting as an intermediary, Schweinsteiger decisively chose to join Manchester City, and eventually, the club acquired this future Bayern legend for 7 million euros.
After welcoming ’Schweini,’ Manchester City also renegotiated Lahm’s contract.
Giving Lahm a raise.
However, Lahm also wished to have a release clause.
It seems that during his time at Bayern to recruit Schweinsteiger, Bayern also made an offer to Lahm.
Deng Kai was not one to be overbearing; he set Lahm’s release clause at 70 million euros.
If Bayern were willing to pay that much, they could take Lahm at any time.
Lahm was very touched by this, as the release clause set by Manchester City was indeed beneficial to the player and realistically attainable.
Although he thought that setting it at 50 million euros would have been better.
Release clauses like Barcelona’s, easily reaching half a billion or a billion, make no practical sense since no club would spend that amount to bring in one player.
Last but not least, Manchester City spent 5.5 million euros to outbid their ’brother’ club Manchester United for the center-back Pique.
Yes, that Pique from Barcelona.
Pique had no chance to play at Barcelona, whereas Manchester United could offer him that chance.
But just the same, when Manchester City stated they could offer him those opportunities, Pique decisively chose Manchester City.
Compared to United, City’s defense is younger, and Pique is confident in beating out competitors and securing more playing time.
And... one can win championships with Manchester City, but what about with Manchester United?
Beware fans joking about others!
On the day before the summer window closed, Lyon made a bid for Ribery, offering 32 million euros.
But Manchester City declined firmly.
Deng Kai even declared, "Don’t talk to us about Ribery’s transfer unless it’s for 50 million euros, he is stronger and more valuable than people think!"
Considering Ribery’s performance in the past season, his value breaking through 60 million euros in the next two years would not be an issue.
With this, Manchester City’s main player list for the new season was essentially settled.
For the front line, led by Deng Kai, Ribery, Villa, Torres, Mandzukic.
In midfield, Tu Lei, Essien, Fabregas, Mascherano, Modric, Schweinsteiger, David Silva, Vidal, Nainggolan.
And in defense, Lahm, Ashley Young, Chiellini, Thiago Silva, Kompany, Feng Te, Maicon, Pique, Piszczek.
