Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 658 - 455: Snatching People! Mendes and Raiola Poaching at the Same Time, Is Tang Long Changing Agents?
Chapter 658: Chapter 455: Snatching People! Mendes and Raiola Poaching at the Same Time, Is Tang Long Changing Agents?
Mendes observed C Luo looking lost and not responding to him, a stark contrast to his usual self.
Curiously, he leaned over to glance at C Luo’s phone screen and saw the real-time rankings of players’ goals in the top five leagues.
With sharp eyes, Mendes immediately spotted Tang Long with six goals in two rounds, ranked first!
Mendes’ eyelid twitched slightly, and he couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking, "Indeed, the only thing that can make you so anxious now is Tang."
He comforted C Luo with kind words, saying, "Dear Cristiano, don’t focus on these rankings. They are temporary. Do you remember what I told you? In this world, there are many scorers like Tang who are fleeting, but there is only one C Luo!"
Having his thoughts unveiled, C Luo quickly turned off the phone screen and pretended indifferently, "Tang? I don’t care about a young kid under 20 who can’t threaten me. Let him win a Champions League first before comparing with me!"
Mendes promptly gave C Luo a thumbs-up, encouragingly saying:
"That’s right! Tomorrow morning, I’m heading to the Real Madrid Club to discuss renewing your contract with Florentino. You know what you need to do during this crucial negotiation period, right?"
"Of course not, I understand," C Luo replied confidently, his words full of dominance, "Keep scoring, relentlessly, show Real Madrid my worth, let them know that with me, Real Madrid is a whole different team!"
...
The next day.
Mendes didn’t go to Real Madrid to find Florentino but instead headed to the airport to fly to Manchester.
He now aims to undertake something more critical than C Luo’s contract renewal – poaching Tang Long from Ronaldo!
This small-sized Portuguese, based on his experience, reckoned that although it’s still the era of Messi and C Luo reigning over the Sports World, these two, one 29 years old, the other 31, have entered the latter part of their careers.
A major injury could instantly shorten their career lifespan.
Mendes didn’t discuss poaching Tang Long with C Luo yesterday to prevent any drastic reaction, but internally knew it was necessary because:
"Currently, the football world belongs to C Luo and Messi, but the future will certainly belong to Tang Long!"
Top strikers have a scoring instinct within the penalty area, helping them be one step ahead in contacting the ball;
Top professional agents, regarding player growth, possess equally keen instincts, able to foresee five to ten years ahead.
Mendes, a world-renowned agent, not only has instincts but also strategies—
He wouldn’t straightforwardly tell Ronaldo, hey, Brazilian fatty, I’m in Manchester to poach your man!
Mendes changed his outfit, donned sunglasses and a hat, and roamed near Tang Long’s home, which he had already investigated, ensuring no ers noticed him.
"Clatter—" Tang Long opened the bedroom window on the second floor, watering some plants on the balcony.
"He’s home, excellent!" Mendes excitedly dashed to the doorbell.
Tang Long recognized Mendes from TV appearances and courteously invited him into the living room.
Mendes was straightforward, directly extending his olive branch.
"Tang, your potential is enormous. I believe you can become world number one. You need a professional agent like me, not a half-baked one like Ronaldo. I can provide what he cannot."
Tang Long didn’t immediately refuse, allowing Mendes to continue speaking.
Mendes offered Tang Long a plan from a player development standpoint.
According to his predictions, Manchester City’s Premier League title chance this season is at least 90%, winning Champions League at around 50%, and Tang Long’s chance of claiming the Premier League Golden Boot over 60%, with the European Golden Boot at 30%.
"I believe within three to four years, you can turn these probabilities into reality, win everything at Manchester City by age 23, at least winning the Golden Ball Award once, and then I’ll transition you to Real Madrid."
"And after moving to Real Madrid?" Tang Long asked.
Though preparing for C Luo and Real Madrid’s contract renewal breaking into 2021, Mendes confidently answered that by that time C Luo would no longer be at Real Madrid.
"After C Luo departs, they urgently need a new flag bearer, and at that time, you’ll be the one spearheading their attack!"
"You’ll play at Real Madrid at least until over age 30, clinching over four Golden Ball Awards, becoming the world’s best player just like C Luo now. After that, your life will have numerous choices, whether to remain in the top five leagues or move into gold mining, all excellent options."
"Tang, currently it’s the era of C Luo and Messi, but the future world of football is undoubtedly yours. I have a keen eye for people; I’m never wrong!" Mendes declared decisively.
After seeing Mendes out, Tang Long sat alone in the living room, sipping coffee.
He recalled that upon first meeting Mendes, the latter already envisioned Tang Long’s career path for the next decade or so, prompting a knowing smile.
People say Mendes considers his players’ interests and isn’t a greedy agent. At least from their previous conversation, Tang Long felt this was the case.
"Ding-dong—"
Five minutes later, the doorbell rang again.
Thinking Mendes might’ve forgotten something, Tang Long went to open the door.
Once opened, Tang Long got a scare!
A burly man, one circle bigger than Mendes, stood before him, sweating profusely and rolling a suitcase, smiling at him.
"Raiola, why are you here?" Tang Long was quite surprised by this sudden visit.
The laid-back Raiola, without waiting for an invite, entered, taking off his shoes to casually slip on a pair of slippers he found, then plopping onto the living room sofa, muttering, "Oh, I just flew from Milan, so thirsty, Tang, could you get me a glass of water?"
After questioning Raiola’s intentions, Tang Long handed him a bottle of chilled coconut juice.
Earlier, when first beginning to excel at Inter Milan, Raiola had already approached Tang Long, wishing to become his agent.
It wasn’t just Raiola; Maradola and Ronar also extended olive branches at the time.
Based on system rewards, choosing Ronaldo offered more advantages for enhancing his capabilities than Raiola earned Tang Long’s favor.
Raiola was even more slick than Mendes in his conversation, skillfully directing topics toward salary matters.
"Tang, from what I understand, your salary at Manchester City is an 180,000 British Pounds weekly, is that right? Ah, what did it convert to annually, these Brits really make my head ache, why weekly, annual isn’t better? Alright, fine, let’s calculate by week."
Last season, Manchester City’s highest-paid players were Agüero and Yaya Toure.
Both had a weekly salary of 240,000 British Pounds.
While David Silva ranked third, given a weekly salary of 200,000 British Pounds.
Tang Long earned an 180,000 British Pounds weekly, with four years remaining on his contract, placing him at the lower end of the top tier.
This season, with the departure of Yaya Toure, Tang Long’s salary rose to third in the team.
"You should be the team’s top earner! At least, match Agüero! You know, across the way, that kid Icardi makes 200,000 British Pounds, and you’re lower? I must ask, where’s the justice in that!"
Raiola presented himself as clearly indignant, raising his tone.
"Your contributions to the team outstrip Agüero significantly, so why aren’t you first? If you transfer from Ronaldo to me, I guarantee within a month to complete renewal, extend four years to five, while raising salary to a 240,000 weekly wage!"
"This is only the beginning," Raiola enthusiastically rubbed his hands, as if at a negotiation table, "Next year, I plan for a transfer, Real Madrid, Barça, Bayern, or elsewhere, your choice, even to Manchester United perhaps, hahaha!"
"If Manchester City wishes to retain you, conditions equal a 360,000 weekly salary, doubling your pay!"
"Should they refuse, given my football world connections, I assure moving you to a club offering a 360,000 weekly. Only fitting for your value!"
Raiola continued envisioning turning Tang Long into the world’s highest-paid, commercially valued player.
"Then, you’ll resemble Messi and C Luo, with advertisement and endorsement fees comprising most of your annual income, so salary won’t hold precedence. You’ll become sports’ wealthiest male athlete!"
Countless bills fluttered above Raiola’s head, then drifted down like snowflakes. He extended his hands, grabbing everywhere, while a grin reflecting a decadent lifestyle spread across his face.
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