After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

(Of course I know Yan Yuan deserves more salary, but Yan's father's negotiation strategy was to use his son's not much weekly salary to secure 70% of his image rights. The money he got from that was the real bulk of the deal, much more than his salary.)

Of course, Yan Yuan's contract will change later; a top salary in the sports world is definitely possible.

The next day, in the conference room of the Kearney training ground in London, the atmosphere was solemn and slightly tense.

The reason is simple: today, Arsenal is signing a contract for a superstar player, a deal unprecedented in the club's history.

Arsenal chairman Stan Kroenke, sporting director Raul Sanllehi, head coach Arsène Wenger, and financial director Vinay Venkatsham were all present.

They represent Arsenal's top decision-making body, demonstrating the importance they place on this signing.

Yan Yuan, his father, and Simon, a senior sports lawyer and core member of his father's team, arrived on time.

Yan's father had already determined his negotiation strategy. His ultimate goal in today's negotiations was to successfully secure 70% of his son's portrait rights.

This is no small sum of money. Generally speaking, the image rights of players and clubs are split 50/50, or the clubs take the lion's share.

To secure that 70%, Yan's father was prepared to make concessions on certain aspects of the contract as a condition for the deal.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and greetings, the two sides sat down, and instantly, an invisible pressure filled the air.

Professor Wenger looked at Yan Yuan with a gentle and expectant gaze, but the expressions of the other senior executives were more cautious.

After all, this would be one of the most expensive signings in Arsenal's history, and even in the history of the Premier League.

The meeting officially began.

Raúl Sanllehi, as sporting director, was the first to express the club's warm welcome to Yan Yuan and its expectation of reaching an agreement.

The focus of the negotiations then shifted to the details of the contract.

As Yan Yuan's agent and father, Lao Yan naturally became the main player at the negotiating table.

Yan's father took a deep breath, took out the prepared documents, and calmly swept his gaze over several senior executives of Arsenal, especially the financial director, Ventshem.

He knew that this key figure who controlled the club's finances would be the main opponent in these negotiations.

"Mr. Krenk, Mr. Sanley, Professor Wenger, Mr. Winktersham," Yan's father spoke fluent and clear English with a London accent.

"First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Arsenal for their recognition and sincerity towards Yan Yuan."

My son and I are both very much looking forward to this collaboration. Based on Yan Yuan's outstanding performance in the Bundesliga and Champions League last season, as well as the enormous potential and market value he has demonstrated, our team, after careful evaluation, proposes the following contract terms as the basis for our negotiations.

He opened the document and read it aloud clearly, line by line, the contract terms that Yan's father had given his son, which included the following expected terms:

Weekly salary: £25.

• Goal bonus: Champions League: £7/goal; Premier League: £6/goal.

• Assist bonus: Champions League: £4.5/assist; Premier League: £2.5/assist.

• Appearance bonus: Starting appearance: £1.5 per game; Substitute appearance: £1 per game.

• Loyalty bonus: £800 million, paid annually.

• Signing fee: £2000 million.

• 额外奖金： 英超金靴奖：70万英镑；欧冠金靴奖：80万英镑；欧冠赛季最佳球员：40万英镑，英超赛季最佳球员：30万英镑。总计220万英镑。

• Release clause: £1.8 million.

• Contract duration: 2+1 years.

After the list was read aloud, a brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Even Yan Yuan, who was sitting in a chair to the side, couldn't help but lower his head and touch his nose after hearing this, and even blushed a little.

(This scenario is like a child going shopping with their parents. The parents are haggling with the shopkeeper, and the child doesn't want to hear about the haggling process. This is mainly because the child is young and easily embarrassed. Xiao Yan is such an easily embarrassed child in this situation.)

Yan Yuan thought to himself: Huh? Dad? That's not what we discussed yesterday.

[Dad: Son, you're still learning the ropes. Watch how your dad talks to you.]

Chairman Kroenke frowned slightly, and sporting director Raul Sanllehi's expression also turned serious.

Meanwhile, the club's financial director, Venkatshem, known for his shrewdness and prudence, had a change of expression instantly!

His fingers tapped the table unconsciously, his eyes filled with shock and immense pressure!

"2...25 a week?!" Venkatsham blurted out, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Mr. Yan, this number...excuse me for speaking frankly, but it far exceeds the upper limit of our club's current salary structure! Our club's top salary is only £272,350,000, and most other players are paid around £200,000, even Aubameyang is paid £200,000."

A signing bonus of 2000 million? An 800 million loyalty bonus? Goal and assist bonuses so high? This… this will instantly inflate our payroll to a very dangerous level!

His tone was hurried, clearly shocked by Yan's father's outrageous demands.

Professor Wenger didn't speak, but frowned slightly, as if he was thinking.

Sanley attempted to ease the tension:

"Mr. Yan, we understand Yan Yuan's value, but this offer is indeed... very challenging. We need to consider Financial Fair Play regulations and the club's long-term healthy operation."

Yan's father remained expressionless. Having worked in the field of negotiation for many years, he had long anticipated the other party's reaction.

He calmly replied, "Mr. Venkatsham, Mr. Sanley, I fully understand your concerns. But please allow me to state our position."

Yan's father leaned slightly forward, his gaze sharp:

"First of all, his weekly salary is £25. Yan Yuan is the Bundesliga Golden Boot winner and Champions League Golden Boot winner this season, leading a non-elite team to a historic Bundesliga title and a place in the Champions League semi-finals."

His goal-scoring efficiency, on-field influence, age potential, and enormous commercial value, especially in the Asian market, all prove that he deserves this level of salary.

This reflects not only the competitive value but also the market value.

272 is a top player, but Yan Yuan's future potential is even higher. His arrival will greatly enhance Arsenal's global influence and commercial revenue potential.

"Secondly, regarding the bonus," Mr. Yan continued.

"High bonuses for goals and assists serve as an incentive for players to consistently deliver outstanding performances and are a direct guarantee for the club's success."

Yan Yuan has the ability to consistently contribute goals and assists in top-level competitions. These bonus clauses are less of a burden and more of an investment in the club's performance.

As for signing fees and loyalty bonuses, these are guarantees of the player's long-term commitment and the club's future investment, and are very common in top player transfers.

Yan's father paused for a moment, his tone still calm:

"Of course, we understand Arsenal's financial pressure. We come with the utmost sincerity and are willing to negotiate within reasonable limits. Negotiation is about finding a balance that both sides can accept."

Yan's father's words not only strongly defended his demands but also cleverly left room for negotiation, demonstrating his exceptional negotiation skills.

His exorbitant offer was like throwing a boulder into a calm lake, intended to create ripples and lay the groundwork for his true objective: the right to one's image.

Yan's father's ultimate goal was his son's portrait rights.

The negotiations have officially entered a tug-of-war.

Venkatshem, as the financial representative, argued his case, repeatedly emphasizing the limitations of FFP, the balance of the team's salary structure, and the budget pressure for future signings.

He tried to negotiate a lower price on each of the terms:

"Excuse my bluntness, Mr. Yan, a weekly wage of £25 is absolutely unacceptable! That disrupts our salary system! We can only accept a maximum of £16!"

"A signing bonus of 2000 million is too high! That's equivalent to an additional transfer fee expenditure! 800 million is a more reasonable figure!"

"A Champions League goal bonus of 7? That's too high! Based on the team's highest standard, we can only offer 4 for a Champions League goal!"

"Loyalty bonuses can be paid annually, but the total amount needs to be reduced..."

Venkatsham expressed his opinion.

Although Yan's father was unyielding, he was not simply forceful.

He is now like an experienced chess player, skillfully maneuvering his pieces on the chessboard.

Next, Yan's father put forward a series of conditions:

"Mr. Venkatsham, £16 a week? That's even lower than some key players at mid-table Premier League teams! Yan Yuan is a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or in the future, and this figure doesn't reflect his value! We can compromise, but at least it should be £22."

"The signing fee is a form of compensation for players who give up their original contracts and join new clubs, and it is also a recognition of the player's value."

The 2000 million is based on market assessments. If the club feels that a one-time payment is too much of a burden, we can discuss installments, but the total amount cannot be less than 1500 million.

"Goal bonuses are key to motivating players. Yan Yuan's goal-scoring ability in the Champions League is undeniable, and €5.5 is a compromise that reflects the sincerity of both parties. Premier League goal bonuses could be reduced to £5..."

The two sides exchanged barbs, engaging in a fierce verbal battle.

Meanwhile, lawyer Simon calmly observed from the sidelines, occasionally whispering to Yan's father to provide support from a legal perspective and ensure the rigor and enforceability of the terms.

Yan Yuan sat quietly beside his father, watching his father's professionalism, composure, and wisdom at the negotiating table, his heart filled with admiration and reassurance.

He knew his father was trying to secure the best possible conditions for him.

The negotiations lasted for several hours.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was sometimes tense and sometimes relaxed.

I kept getting refills of coffee.

Ultimately, after both sides demonstrated sufficient sincerity and flexibility, a balance that was acceptable to both gradually emerged.

The core terms of the final contract were agreed upon:

• Weekly wage: £19 (down from £25 to £19)

• Goal bonus:

◦ Champions League: £5.5 per goal (down from £7 to £5.5)

◦ Premier League: £4.5 per ball (down from £6 to £4.5)

• Assist bonus:

◦ Champions League matches: £3 per match (reduced from £4.5 to £3)

◦ Premier League: £1.5 per match (down from £2.5 to £1.5)

• Appearance bonus: Starting appearance: £1.5 per game (unchanged); Substitute appearance: £1 per game (unchanged).

• Loyalty bonus: £800 million, paid annually (unchanged).

• Signing fee: £1000 million (reduced from £2000 million to £1000 million).

• Additional bonuses: Premier League Golden Boot: £100 million; Champions League Golden Boot: £80; Premier League Player of the Season: £40. Total: £220 million (unchanged).

• Release clause: £2 million (increased from £1.8 million to £2 million).

• Contract length: 3+1 years (initially a 3-year contract, with the club having an option to extend for another 1 year).

Looking at the finalized terms and conditions, CFO Winktesham breathed a long sigh of relief.

Although many terms were higher than he initially expected, they were still significantly reduced compared to the "sky-high" price initially demanded by Yan's father, especially in the two major items of weekly salary and signing bonus.

He wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, feeling as if he had fought a tough battle.

A satisfied smile appeared on Yan's father's face.

He was certain his son would be very satisfied with the result.

A weekly wage of £19 is among the top tier in the Premier League, which is enough to reflect his value, and at the same time, it does not place an excessive burden on the club.

Although the signing fee has been halved, £1000 million is still a considerable sum, and it won't be a huge financial blow to Arsenal.

More importantly, his "concessions" on other terms paved the way for his real goals.

"Mr. Krenk, Mr. Sanley, Professor Wenger, Mr. Venkatsham," Yan's father spoke again, his tone calm.

"We have basically reached an agreement on the core terms, which reflects the sincerity of both parties. Now, I would like to talk about the last and very important issue - the allocation of portrait rights."

All eyes were once again focused on Yan's father.

"As everyone knows," said Mr. Yan calmly.

"Yan Yuan is not only a top player, but his unique Chinese background and huge influence in Asia, especially in the Chinese market, give his personal image extremely high commercial value. The management of image rights is crucial for building a player's personal brand and developing commercial revenue."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Arsenal's management, especially Venkatsham, before speaking.

"In previous negotiations, our team made significant concessions on terms such as salaries and bonuses to align with the club's financial planning and team building."

Therefore, regarding image rights, we believe that your club should fully demonstrate its recognition and support for the player's personal value and market potential.

Yan's father put forward the core demand:

"We demand that Yan Yuan and his team own 70% of his personal image rights, and the club own 30%."

This 70% allocation will ensure that Yan Yuan's team can independently and efficiently develop and operate his personal brand, maximizing its commercial value.

At the same time, the club's 30% ownership ensures the appropriate use of player images in official club promotions, sponsorship collaborations, and other activities.

Venkatsham's nerves, which had just relaxed, tightened again.

What? 70%!

This is much higher than the usual revenue sharing ratio between clubs and top stars (which is usually 50%-50% or the club takes the lion's share).

Venkatsham immediately retorted:

"Mr. Yan, I must say, 70% is too high! The club's usual practice is to split the profits 50/50, and in some cases, the club even takes more. A player's image and value are inextricably linked to the club platform..."

"Mr. Venkatsham," Yan's father interrupted him, his tone still calm.

"Conventions can be broken."

I believe that you and I are both very clear about Yan Yuan's commercial value potential, especially in the Chinese market.

When he was at Hoffenheim, his social media following, jersey sales, and commercial endorsement potential already surpassed those of most Premier League stars.

Yan Yuan's image rights are far beyond what ordinary Premier League stars can match. In Arsenal's history, no star has ever had such a large potential fan base.

The 70% ratio is a reasonable reflection of his unique market value and also demonstrates trust in our team's professional capabilities in business development.

With the support of the Chinese market, to put it bluntly, even if Arsenal only takes 30%, it will still earn more than many star players who take 60%. I'm not just an agent, I'm a businessman, and I understand this better than anyone else.

Father Yan then shifted the focus, linking the previous concessions to the issue of portrait rights:

"More importantly, we have already made concessions of millions of pounds on salaries and signing fees in previous negotiations."

These concessions saved the club valuable funds, which can be used to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window.

We believe that incorporating a portion of the value saved into the allocation of portrait rights is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

This not only compensates for Yan Yuan's personal value but also motivates our team to more actively develop his commercial value, ultimately bringing additional brand exposure and potential business cooperation opportunities to the club.

What a clever feint!

Yan's father's words were logically clear and hit the nail on the head.

He cleverly linked the image rights negotiations with the previous salary concessions, implying that Arsenal's financial savings needed to be "compensated" with a proportion of image rights payments.

He also emphasized the potential benefits of a 70% allocation for the club, suggesting that more active commercial development could generate more revenue.

Professor Wenger and Sanley exchanged a glance. They understood that what Yan's father said made sense.

The value of the Chinese market behind Yan Yuan is enormous and unique, and traditional revenue-sharing models may not be able to maximize its potential.

Moreover, the other party made significant concessions on the core terms.

Venkatsham fell into deep thought.

He was calculating quickly.

Yan's concessions on salary and signing fees have indeed saved the club a considerable amount of cash expenditure, roughly estimated at tens of millions of pounds.

While a 70% cut of image rights is a high percentage, if the total commercial revenue generated is large enough, even if the club only receives 30%, it could still be a considerable sum, especially considering the potential of the Chinese market behind Yan Yuan.

This is more like a "risk-sharing and benefit-sharing" model.

After a brief silence and internal eye contact, Sanllehi, as the sporting director, spoke on behalf of the club:

"Mr. Yan, we understand your position regarding portrait rights. Yan Yuan's unique value does indeed deserve special consideration."

"A 70% percentage...while higher than usual, is acceptable in principle given Yan Yuan's special circumstances and the sincerity you've shown on the core terms."

He added, "Specific details, such as the scope of use, authorization method, and revenue distribution mechanism, need to be drafted by our legal team and your team's lawyer, Simon, in a detailed supplementary agreement."

"Of course!" Yan's father smiled triumphantly. "We completely agree, and Attorney Simon will fully cooperate."

Simon, the lawyer who had been silent all along, immediately nodded:

"No problem, Mr. Sanley, we will ensure that the terms of the agreement are clear, legal, and protect the rights of both parties."

With this, all the core obstacles to the contract negotiation have been cleared!

Ultimately, through his ingenious negotiation strategy, Yan's father ostensibly made "sacrifices" in terms of salary and bonuses, but successfully secured the dominant commercial interest of 70% of his son's image rights.

This is of great significance for Yan Yuan's future personal brand building and business revenue.

Attorney Simon quickly reviewed the core terms of the contract agreed upon by both parties. After confirming that everything was correct, he nodded to Yan's father and Yan Yuan.

Yan Yuan finally signed the contract.

Finally, Professor Wenger smiled and looked at Yan Yuan:

"Yan, there's more good news. I'm planning to give you the number 7 jersey."

Yan Yuan's eyes lit up.

The number 7 is a legendary number in Arsenal's history (Pires, Rosicky, etc.), symbolizing the core and attacking power.

Professor Wenger explained:

"Although Mkhitaryan is currently wearing number 7, the club has decided to make major changes to the squad during the summer transfer window, and Mkhitaryan is on the departure list. So, when the new season starts, number 7 will belong to you."

Yan Yuan felt a surge of excitement and nodded vigorously:

"Thank you, Professor! It's a great honor to wear Arsenal's number 7 jersey!"

End of the meeting.

The two stood up and shook hands.

Venkatsham walked up to Yan's father, a wry smile and a sense of relief on his face, and extended his hand:

"Mr. Yan, I must say, this was one of the most stressful negotiations I've ever experienced. You are incredibly professional. However, the final outcome was good for both sides. Thank you again!"

Mr. Yan smiled and shook his hand: "Mr. Venkatsham, you flatter me. This is all for the future of the club and the players. I also see Arsenal's sincerity. It's a pleasure to cooperate!"

Professor Wenger finally walked up to Yan Yuan and patted him on the shoulder kindly:

"Son, the contract is finally settled. Now, put aside all distractions and focus on preparing for the World Cup! Perform well and let the world see your talent! I and all Arsenal fans are looking forward to your first season at the Emirates Stadium! It will be a brand new beginning!"

"I will, Professor!" Yan Yuan's eyes were firm, filled with boundless anticipation for the future. "I will give it my all! See you at the World Cup! See you in the Premier League!"

Stepping out of the Kearney training ground, the London afternoon sun shone exceptionally brightly.

Looking at his spirited son beside him, Yan's father smiled with satisfaction and pride.

With Yan Yuan at the helm, the Arsenal era officially began.

(Regarding 272, he will also be fired. He is on the professor's cleanup list this season. In the novel's seasons, he is a typical high-salary, low-performance player.)