Football Dynasty-Chapter 535: Market Value Skyrocketed!

Chapter 535: Market Value Skyrocketed!
On the third floor of Maddox Capital’s London office, the trading center was as noisy as ever, filled with the constant ringing of telephones and the sharp voices of traders shouting orders into their receivers.
"Sir!"
"Hmm?"
"The CEO of a Japanese IT company called SoftBank is requesting a meeting."
Richard looked up, surprised. "For what reason?"
"From the materials they sent, it appears they want to acquire our Yahoo shares."
Hearing this, Richard immediately realized that history was unfolding exactly as he knew it would. Masayoshi Son had approached Yahoo’s founders back in 1996, and Richard was well aware of that. He never imagined, however, that they would now come hunting for
his
shares as well.
"How much is our current Yahoo stake?" Richard asked calmly. "And at what valuation?"
"Yahoo is currently valued at forty billion dollars," the aide replied. "SoftBank is offering to acquire our entire position."
$40 Billion!
Forty billion dollars. Everyone at Maddox Capital spoke in tones of disbelief, but Richard knew this was no exaggeration. In fact, he remembered that after SoftBank’s initial investment in late 1996, they poured in another one hundred million dollars the following year, securing nineteen percent of Yahoo’s shares.
"Hmmm."
With limited anti-dilution clause and the conversion of preferred shares, Yahoo’s capitalization had shifted significantly between 1997 and 1999. The total number of outstanding shares had expanded. Even if SoftBank were to acquire
all
of Maddox Capital’s holdings, their ownership would only rise to around twenty-nine percent.
"I suggest we retain our shares, sir," one analyst said carefully. "Our forecasts indicate Yahoo could reach a one-hundred-billion-dollar valuation by the end of the year."
Richard closed his eyes.
He already knew.
In fact, he knew more than that. By the end of 1999, nearly every internet company would experience explosive growth as the dot-com boom approached its peak. Capital would flood the sector. Valuations would defy reason. And Yahoo—sitting at the center of the digital universe—would be one of the greatest beneficiaries.
Another chimed, "Sir, they’ve been expanding aggressively in Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Their cash reserves are substantial. And they’re known for offering premiums to secure minority stakes in fast-growing tech firms. If they want our Yahoo shares, they’re willing to pay top dollar."
One to hold, one to sell.
Maddox Capital had been early to the game. The real question now was whether to exit or hold.
Richard rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Send me the information on SoftBank, and I’ll decide later," Richard said, before deciding to think about it later.
"Yes, sir."
Done with that, he immediately made his exit, dressed impeccably in his suit. As he stepped outside and looked up at the sky, he could see nothing through the towering skyscrapers that surrounded him; the concrete jungle blotted out the stars.
"Let’s get back to Manchester," he instructed his driver and bodyguards.
While he was on his way to Manchester, the football world was in turmoil. The media were ablaze with coverage.
The Daily Mirror ed: "Richard Maddox finally agrees to let the 23-year-old keeper leave after securing a replacement for the Italian international!"
Manchester Evening News wrote: "In the next 48 hours, a move that could spark an incredible merry-go-round of goalkeeper transfers in the Premier League to Serie A, involving Gianluigi Buffon."
The media quickly broke the story, covering Buffon’s every word after his meeting with Juventus president Vittorio Chiusano.
Buffon told ers: "City are content that everything has gone smoothly. For me, wearing the shirt of Juve is a great honour."
The transfer is set to complete at £52.9 million, making it one of the most high-profile goalkeeper moves in football history. Indeed, it exceeded what it should have been. Based on the real trajectory, it was supposed to be £33 million, and the deal was originally expected to involve Parma rather than Manchester City.
Now, with City, after winning the double last season, they had become headstrong and rejected any proposal below £50 million. As a result, the negotiations dragged on for months before Juventus finally decided to break the bank.
Buffon, the main goalkeeper of the Italian national team!
He was highly sought after and Juventus was prepared to do everything necessary to secure him.
In fact, Buffon wasn’t the only one receiving offers.
Ronaldinho, after his three assists that stunned British football with a phenomenal performance, also received offers from top clubs across the continent. Some bids had already been secretly sent to Manchester City, with one reaching an astonishing £45 million!
The emerging superstar: Ronaldinho!
Back in Manchester, Richard immediately went to his office to meet the CEO, Miss Heysen.
Miss Heysen quickly handled the s before asking, "I’ve heard that many big clubs are interested in Ronaldinho and are offering substantial bids. Are we willing to take the risk of keeping him?"
For her, focusing on management, if a young player under 20 receives significant offers, the club’s decision to sell or retain him becomes debatable. Selling him would yield substantial transfer income, which is quite realistic. Not selling him, however, entails risk. Many talented players end up forgotten. If he isn’t sold at a high price, it could mean a financial loss and potentially affect the team’s performance.
Richard placed the documents down and smiled. "I even heard Ladbrokes has placed odds on Ronaldinho transferring," he chuckled. "It seems a lot of people are about to be caught off guard here."
Miss Heysen raised her eyebrows.
The discussion stretched on for hours, delving into countless details and potential scenarios. Miss Heysen soon found herself swept up in the debate, contributing her insights with precision and tact. Every angle, from financial implications was analyzed meticulously, and her expertise became increasingly central to the conversation.
Still, Richard answered:
"NO!"
He was about to tune out of the debate when a sudden thought struck him, and he interrupted.
"Ah, by the way, how’s the reserve team doing?" Richard asked first.
Currently, the club only had a U-17 academy, which was genuinely putting in the effort to develop young talent. The problem, however, was this: what happens when they turn 18? What happens if a player over 17 wants to play but can’t get enough minutes—since they are no longer eligible for the U-17 team but also not ready for the first team?
"I’ve already taken care of that," Miss Heysen said confidently. "For the new season, I’ve registered the team for the Reserve League Championship. This way, our young players will get competitive matches regularly, even if they’re not yet ready for the first team."
Richard nodded, sighing in relief.
Without competitive opportunities, these promising players risk stagnating, no matter how talented they are. This is why the reserve team is so important: it bridges the gap between youth football and the first team, giving players the chance to develop and gain match experience.
Soon, he glanced down at his Rolex, noting the time, before turning his gaze to the window overlooking the pitch.
"Has the team already started their training?"
"I think they should have all gathered by now," came the reply.
Richard didn’t wait any longer. He stood up and made his way to the field, eager to follow the session. As he approached, he could see the players stretching, passing the ball, and running through drills.
Time passed, and soon the Premier League fixture weekend returned once again.
After finishing the League Cup, Manchester City faced a derby over the weekend. The away game started off somewhat lackluster, with both teams cautiously feeling each other out. But as the minutes passed, the intensity steadily grew, building toward a climax that would make the hearts of both sets of fans race.
Derby County had shed their reputation as an underdog, a struggling side, or a mid-table also-ran this season and were now ranked in the upper-middle tier, catching many by surprise. They were full of energy in this match, pressing high and moving quickly, while City fell back into their old
The team seemed a bit distracted during the match, attempting to control the pace but often being intercepted, which led to rapid counterattacks. Within the first 30 minutes, they found themselves two goals behind.
After scoring, Derby County shifted into a defensive posture, determined to protect their lead and secure all three points.
A mistake however.
Once Derby County withdrew into defense, City’s earlier disadvantages began to vanish. Space opened up, and the team started to dictate the tempo of the match. There was still plenty of time, and the players knew it.
City’s inherent qualities as champions began to shine. With calm precision, they probed Derby’s defense, moving the ball quickly, stretching gaps, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
In the 56th minute, Henry picked up the ball just inside City’s half. With a burst of speed, he dribbled past Derby defender Stefan Schnoor, then cleverly shifted the ball to his left foot, leaving a second opponent, Darryl Powell off balance.
Using his trademark long strides, he accelerated into the box, keeping the ball close to his feet with pinpoint control.
A final defender lunged, Argentinian Horacio Carbonari but Henry feinted, cutting inside and creating just enough space for a clean shot. With a precise strike, he sent the ball curling past the keeper into the bottom corner, pulling one back.
"Unbelievable! Thierry Henry does it again! What a run! He picks up the ball in his own half!"
The City fans erupted, sensing the momentum shifting but Henry didn’t even celebrate. Calm and composed, he retrieved the ball from the net and jogged back to the halfway line.
Then, in the 77th minute, City earned a corner on the right. Gianluca Zambrotta stepped up, eyes fixed on the crowded penalty area. With a perfectly weighted curl, he delivered the ball into the heart of the box, arcing just above the defenders’ heads.
Trezeguet timed his run to perfection, moving between two markers. With a powerful leap, he met the ball with a precise header, directing it past the outstretched arms of Russell Hoult and into the top corner.
The stadium exploded in cheers as the ball hit the net, and City had leveled the score.
"Absolutely sensational! What a delivery from Zambrotta and what a header by Trezeguet! The timing was perfect, the precision even better—City are back on level terms! The fans are going wild, and you can see the players feeding off this moment. Momentum has completely shifted, and this game is far from over!"
Derby County, now desperate, threw caution to the wind, surging forward in search of a winner. But their recklessness left gaping spaces in their backline, and City sensed blood in the water.
A lightning-quick counterattack erupted from midfield.
Zidane received the ball first, turning sharply to evade a pressing Derby’ Darryl Powell. He played it quickly to Pirlo, who slid it to Makélélé, then back to Zidane, who pirouetted gracefully before returning it to Pirlo. The constant movement, quick touches, and precise rotations left the Derby players reeling, struggling to keep up with the tempo.
Finally, Pirlo’s eyes locked onto Ronaldinho, already lifting his head on the left flank, scanning for space. With surgical precision, he unleashed a long, sniping pass that arced perfectly over him.
The long ball from Pirlo sailed through the air, perfectly weighted.
But who received it?
Ronaldinho!
His first touch was sublime—soft, precise, and perfectly controlled, cushioning the ball just inside the penalty area. He rolled it effortlessly past a sliding Horacio Carbonari, and with another deft touch, he accelerated before slipping the ball past the lunging Russell Hoult.
Defender out, goalkeeper out. So, who will stop him?
"Empty! He’s passed Russell Hoult... can he finish? Yes! Absolutely effortless for the maestro! What a touch, what a finish—And just like that, City have turned this game on its head!"
From two goals down to a stunning counterattack—Henry’s opener, Trezeguet’s equalizer, and now Ronaldinho putting them ahead. Derby County are reeling, and City are showing them who is the boss.
By the time the match ended, Ronaldinho’s performance had not only secured a stunning victory for Manchester City but had also sent his market value soaring—now estimated at a staggering £60 million!
Richard was beaming with satisfaction after the match.
RING~
His phone buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen—it was Miss Heysen. He answered immediately.
"Umbro? Are they looking to collaborate? But we just signed a two-year deal with Rover this summer. If they want to partner up, we can discuss it in a year and a half," he said thoughtfully, raising an eyebrow.
"It seems they want to gauge your reaction through me," she replied softly.
"Hmm?" Richard frowned, confused. "What exactly are you implying?"
"No, I mean—you misunderstood. It’s not about the first team," she clarified. "They want to sponsor the reserve and U-17 teams—essentially all the squads except our first team!"
"Huh...?"