Becoming a football god from Arsenal

Chapter 68: Confirming an agent! A high signing fee? [15]

"related to me?"

Maher knew very well that the fact that Gary Speed ​​came to tell him this showed that he was on an equal footing with him and was given enough respect.

No children looked down on him, nor was he hindered by his status as a coach. Instead, it was more like a casual chat between friends.

Most people on the train were asleep with their headphones on, and the two were sitting in the last row, so only Gilbert and a few others could possibly hear their conversation.

"Arsenal will probably call you back halfway through the game, that's obvious."

Gary Speed ​​took off his suit jacket and said solemnly: "If you leave halfway, I might choose to leave too.

"I don't want to say such serious and corny words on this occasion, but I still have to say that you carry the hopes of this team and everyone has expectations of you."

He paused, then continued, “With you here, everyone will feel that maybe we can do something this season.

"But once you leave, the players, who no longer have any relegation pressure, will probably relax and indulge themselves, and end up as a mid-table team with nothing to show for it this season."

Gary Speed ​​spread his hands slightly, as if to say that if that was the case, then there was no point in him staying here.

Maher was stunned. He didn't expect that he was so important to this team and Gary Speed ​​now.

Sometimes people's understanding of themselves is not necessarily very clear.

"Whether you leave or not is not up to me."

Mahel replied, he felt a little confused and wanted to deal with it first.

"Yes."

Gary Speed ​​wanted to get to the bottom of the matter. He stared at Maher's face and said, "It's not up to you whether you want to leave or not, but you can decide whether to stay or not.

"Think about it, Maher, you had nothing before you came here, and now you're gone, except for those dazzling statistics and two months of the best, there's still nothing else.

"If you have the opportunity to pursue excellence and great success, such as leading a team to promotion to the Premier League or winning the Player of the Season or the Assists King title, why wouldn't you do it?"

After that, he added: "Of course, you also have a chance to win the Golden Boot. These will increase your value and add a highlight to your resume."

Maher fell silent, and Garrison Speed's face flashed with anxiety. He kept lobbying: "The club must have the idea of ​​​​promotion to the Premier League. They can complete reinforcements and recruit players in the winter window and design a huge promotion bonus.

“I’ve talked to the board of directors, and they’re willing to set up a separate bonus clause for you as long as they can keep you.

"Mael, think about it carefully. Arsenal needs your future, and Sheffield United needs you now."

"I'll think about it carefully." Maher's heart was in turmoil. He didn't make a decision on the spot. He needed time to think.

The next day, after finishing his recovery training, Maher went to the club cafeteria to eat, checking messages on his mobile phone along the way.

Over time, he has amassed more than 90,000 fans, which makes him a fairly influential figure.

As more people follow him, naturally more people send him private messages.

Dancers in strip clubs, a divorced woman who liked Sheffield United, and the captain of the cheerleading team in the university sports department all sent him messages and left a deep impression on him.

There are many other things, but nothing memorable.

Following the success of the last autograph gift event at the old Kodall store, he has received many similar invitations, with remuneration ranging from 5000 pounds to 10000 pounds.

He is not planning to go. On the one hand, he is busy now, and on the other hand, his salary and bonus are very high now, so he does not lack the money.

Maher has also received endorsement invitations from some small brands, but it is difficult to tell whether they are true or not. I think with his current influence and attention, he should not be able to attract serious endorsement contracts.

“I need an agent.”

He remembered that, having come this far, he really needed an agent to help him solve his problems and increase his income in the future.

In addition, he is about to sign a new contract with Arsenal, and having an agent who understands the industry can help him get a more lucrative and reasonable contract.

Apart from Mendes, the only people who have contacted him so far are some ordinary agents whose names he has never heard of.

From this perspective, Mendes is really the only and best choice.

He found the phone number of Peppino, the head of Mendes' agency, the man he had met last time.

In the message board of the two people, he saw many unread messages from the other party, some of which were long paragraphs of persuasion, and some of which hoped that he would answer the phone.

He didn’t answer the other party’s call?

Mahel opened the missed calls column and saw many missed calls, and one of them was indeed Pepino's number.

“Still too busy.”

He smiled and prepared to call back, but held back at the last moment, exited the dial-up page and went to the message interface.

——"We'll meet before the first round of the league next month."

A few minutes later, the other side quickly replied, "Mr. Mendes will come in person this time to show his respect and recognition for you."

Mendes himself?

Maher was not too surprised. The last time they met, he had only scored 10 goals, which was considered a rookie.

Now, he has scored more than 20 goals and has shown his efficient and stable ability, so his value is naturally different.

——"Then it will be around December 12th."

After setting a time, Maher walked into the cafeteria, putting all this behind him for the time being.

“November 11th diary, I continue to work hard, there is no time to rest, the proficiency panel has brought me much more than what I see now.

"Take good care of yourself and make full use of your time. Every additional level 3 skill will improve your performance. Every additional level 4 skill will bring you closer to the top!"

“December 12 is the last month of the first half of the season, but unfortunately there is no off-season in the English league.

"Fortunately, there are only four rounds of matches this month, so the schedule is not too tight. After the end, it will be time to select the best player of the first half. I wonder if I can be selected." The honors display cabinet already has five best players of a single game, two best players of the month, and a commemorative ball for a hat trick. If I can put the best player of the first half trophy on it, then this first half will be really remarkable.

"If I put the Golden Boot, Assist King, and Player of the Season on the list, well, I don't want to think that far ahead. I'll just think about it first."

"December 12th, so tired, so tired.

"I plan to find a personal physiotherapist to take care of my diet and post-training massage to relieve muscle fatigue. Well, I'll put it on the agenda. I don't need this little money now!

"Speaking of money, have Arsenal considered it? Every week of delay will make me lose 10,000 or 20,000 pounds. Are they still negotiating?

"Didn't Philip mention the signing fee last time? How much should he ask for? This is one of the biggest incomes.

"It is better to let Mendes take charge of these businesses as soon as possible, let him negotiate, and believe in his ability."

"On December 12, my passing proficiency exceeded 7. If I spend more time on it, I should be able to reach level 500 this month!

"The second level 4 skill is not easy. With the overall ability at that time, there should be no problem playing in the Premier League. It's just that the highlights are a bit monotonous.

“It’s only the first year, maybe I really don’t need to rush?
"In the second half, you can practice a level 5 skill, and take it with you to compete in the Premier League. You will be a king when you appear on the field."

"."

On December 12, after morning training, Maher went home to take a shower, change clothes, and then went to a restaurant.

This is a hotel with extremely luxurious decoration. Most of the people inside are dressed in suits and look very dignified, with elegant conversation and no noise at all.

Led by the waiter, Maher went down to the third floor, walked through the magnificent corridor, and came to a small VIP lounge, where he saw a giant golden carpet and a huge luxurious chandelier.

He had never been to such a place, either in his previous life or in this life.

However, the increase in income and net worth did not make him feel cramped or embarrassed.

He still walked in calmly, a little curious at most.

"Seeing is believing, my friend."

In front of the long table, a middle-aged man in a black expensive suit came over and spread his hands towards him enthusiastically, "I arrived this morning, rushed all the way here, no appointments or lateness. How is it?"

He is not tall, but has a very good temperament and gives people the impression of being very smart and capable.

This is Jorge Mendes, the agent who controls Portuguese football and slowly extends his tentacles to European football, and the agent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho.

Maher hugged him and came to the table, pulling up a stool and smiling, "Me neither."

"Ha ha."

Mendes laughed a few times and pointed at Peppino who was sitting next to him and said, "This is Peppino, you have seen him."

Maher nodded in response, exchanged a few pleasantries with the two men as usual, ordered some food and drinks, and then prepared to get down to business.

"Pepino told you as much."

Mendes took the lead in getting the topic back on track. He touched his chest and said, "Please forgive me for taking the initiative. I want to ask you a question first. What do you think I can bring to you?"

“Increase income.”

Maher didn't think for long before saying, "When necessary, solve some problems for me and create some momentum."

"More specific?"

Mendes and Peppino smiled at each other, turned to look at Maher and said nothing, “How about I tell you, this season is your debut season, when you first came here you were still on the salary of the youth team.

“There should have been an increase later, but the speed of the increase is definitely not as fast as your growth in the team.

"If you choose me to handle this kind of affairs for you, then I promise that you only need to concentrate on the court and leave everything else to me.

“You just have to wait for my call, wait for the contract, salary, endorsements, etc. that match everything you have, and then write your name with a smile and get countless money.

"Remember, you must smile!"

"I've definitely been thinking about that lately."

Maher nodded in agreement, thought for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Mr. Mendes, what kind of salary do you think I should get for my level?"

“You have to look at it from multiple angles.”

Mendes did not hide his shortcomings and explained generously: "The contract period, the amount of the signing fee, the level of liquidated damages, the club's positioning of your tactical position, the total bonus clause, etc., all of these need to be considered."

"The penalty for breach of contract is 4000 million pounds, and the contract extension is one year, so the total contract period is four years?" Maher asked, giving an exact number.

Mendes thought for a while and replied: "If the signing fee is around 70-80, I think the salary is 40k-48k. Your age is worth the club's investment."

Maher's brain briefly crashed after earning 40-48k a week, but he still got 70-80k in signing fee, which obviously exceeded his expectations again.

Indeed, professional matters should be left to professionals.

"That's what Mr. Mendez meant."

Pepino, who was sitting nearby, spoke up in a firm tone: "If he goes to negotiate, he can negotiate to this price conservatively."

"I believe."

Maher nodded, indicating his interest: “As mentioned before, Mr. Mendes will take 2.75% of the players’ salaries as compensation and 15-20% from endorsements.

"If I could decide today, I wonder if Mr. Mendes could also be more straightforward and keep the commission of the endorsement fee to the minimum of 15%?"

He doesn't have any endorsements now, but that doesn't mean he won't have any in the future. He should try to get as much as he can for himself now.

Mendes looked at Peppino again, not hiding his joy and his desire to represent Mahel in his agency.

He always thought that he was a sincere and straightforward person, so he said directly: "Of course, it's settled then!"

(End of this chapter)