When Tang En woke up the next day, it was still only Shania and him in the gigantic house. Same as the previous morning, Shania only woke Tang En up after making breakfast. She then sat at the table and watched him eat breakfast on his own.
Just as he finished his meal, an unknown call came in. Since the time he had brought Shania for a vacation in Spain, he had learned his lesson. Regardless of what time it was, his phone would be switched on; the entire 24 hours. He was not the same guy as before, a poor football fan from China. He could afford the roaming fee now.
The number was unfamiliar to Tang En. After staring at it for a while, his mind racking for possibilities, he still could not figure out who the number belonged to.
He took the call. Thick, Latin-accented English drifted into his ears from the other side.
“Good morning, Mr. Tony. It should already be morning in Brazil, right?”
“Ah… You’re right. It’s morning now. Good morning, Sir. You are…?”
“My apologies. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Jorge Mendes, Pepe’s agent,” the voice said unhurriedly.
Tang En was stunned to hear the name. As a football fan, it would not be surprising for that name to be unheard of. However, as the manager of a team, it would be a grievous mistake. Even with Nottingham Forest’s lack of interaction with Spaniard footballers, Tang En still knew of the man on the phone.
Almost all the managers of Europe’s powerhouses and their directors would have this person’s phone number somewhere among the numerous name cards on their tables; he was the most well-known professional agent in Spain. Furthermore, he was a football agent who held tremendous influence over Europe. He maintained good relationships with people such as Chelsea’s owner, Abramovich, and had feelers in every corner within Europe.
Jorge Mendes could be considered the godfather of professional agents in Spain. He acted as the proxy for famous managers and players, such as Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others.
The man was a hot-shot among agents; naturally, his ability to scheme was among the best. He would need to be dealt with carefully. Tang En nodded at what was said, only realizing after that his actions were not visible to Mendes. He added, “I’ve heard of you, Mr. Mendes. I didn’t expect Pepe to be one of the footballers you represented.”
A hearty laugh sounded from the other side. “I’m afraid there aren’t that many managers who have yet to hear my name. I’ve also heard of you, Mr. Twain. In the last two years, Nottingham Forest has been on the rise, skyrocketing upwards. I think you’re likely to be the youngest manager in next season’s Champions League. You met up with my player yesterday?”
“Oh, we met by chance. I am taking a vacation in Brazil. Coincidentally, Pepe is too. I’ve always thought he was in Spain…”
Mendes fell silent for a moment. “Pepe, he… he has met with some trouble over here in Spain, so I suggested that he to return to Brazil to unwind a little.”
From his tone of voice and choice of words, it did not sound as if Pepe was a player under the current manager of FC Porto, Dutch Co Adriaanse. Rather, he sounded like one of the agent’s subordinates. When his player got into trouble and needed help, his first thought was of him – the agent – and not the manager of the team he played for.
“Mr. Twain, what do you think of Pepe?”
“He’s fantastic. Very good indeed. He has a style I can appreciate.”
“Pepe called me yesterday and told me about your discussion. He mentioned that you seemed to know him very well, even better than Adriaanse.”
Tang En knew that this was thanks to his pre-transmigration memory from 2007, but he could not possibly be honest. “Well… it’s like this. I actually began noticing Pepe a long time ago.”
Mendes laughed again. “What a coincidence. There’s another person who has been interested in Pepe for a long time. In fact, FC Porto’s choice to bring Pepe from Maritimo to Estádio do Dragão was on the strong recommendation from this person. Unfortunately, before Pepe joined, he had already left. Do you know to whom I’m referring, Mr. Twain?”
“Of course, Mr. Mendes. That person must be Mourinho, former manager of FC Porto.”
“That’s right! It’s a pity. Currently, that man is unable to utilize Pepe well. Are you interested in hearing what Pepe said to me yesterday?”
“Certainly.”
“He said that his conversation with you yesterday left a deep impression on him. When he was in FC Porto, Adriaanse would never speak with him in the same manner, to try to understand his way of thinking or to help Pepe understand his. He felt very good about it… I’ll be honest with you, Mr. Twain. I feel that letting Pepe play under a manager who understands him is a rather good idea. Pepe is my player. There isn’t a manager out there who would wish for his players to be a substitute, to sit on the cold bench and gradually depreciate in value. He’s still young. I believe there is a lot of space for his value to appreciate. However, the current FC Porto is unable to create the conditions for him to do so.”
Mendes had already made it out to be clear enough. He was evidently keen on letting Pepe join Forest. What now stood between them was the transaction between FC Porto and Forest.
Tang En felt jubilant on hearing that news. He had experience in this. He knew the backstory of what had transpired between Pepe and FC Porto.
In the next season of 05-06, due to the pressure of FC Porto’s unseemly results, manager Adriaanse was forced to make changes to the formation of the team. He changed it to a 343 formation, which had greater offensive power. At that point, Pepe was able to become one of the main players. He became the best candidate for their third midfielder. However, that was something that had yet to take place. Even a godfather like Mendes could not predict the future. He did not know Adriaanse would have a change of attitude towards Pepe, nor did he know what level Pepe’s future value would rise to. Even Tang En himself was unaware that Pepe would become the most expensive fullback in Europe’s transfer market in the summer of 07; Tang En had already transmigrated before the opening of that summer transfer market.
But Tang En knew that Pepe was currently quite unhappy being in FC Porto. The club had designated him as the substitute for Pedro Emanuel, Jorge Costa, and Ricardo Costa. In the position of center back, he was only their fourth choice.
After meeting Pepe by chance yesterday, Tang En ran through, briefly in his mind, the experiences of this Brazilian defender in recent years. Although it was a chance meeting, the timing was perfect. Tang En did not wish to let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He had an indelible impression of how capable Pepe was in the game. In real life, Pepe was not at all weak either. Didn’t Forest Team lack a good center back? Give him a main position, trust, and freedom. Let him join Forest!
Piqué and Pepe were the two center backs with the most impressive physiques within the game. Just the thought of such a combination filled Tang En with excitement.
“Mr. Mendes, I believe Nottingham Forest would be able to create those conditions for your player. But I’m worried about FC Porto…”
“That, you don’t have to worry about, Mr. Twain. If the player is willing, you’re willing, and I’m willing, we can already begin discussing Pepe’s transfer fee as well as his terms and conditions.”
His words made Tang En vividly aware of Mendes’ level of influence in Spain. The poor Dutch man, Adriaanse…
“What do you think about a transfer fee of four million Euros?” Mendes asked.
A year before, FC Porto had bought Pepe for a million. A year after, they got to earn three million. This transaction should be able to satisfy FC Porto. But the enthusiasm showed by Mendes unsettled Tang En, so he held back from replying.
The other man evidently knew what Tang En was thinking. He said with a laugh, “Ah. Earlier, I mentioned my having noticed Nottingham Forest. That’s because your team’s rise to fame is too rapid. In the future, I believe that more and more people will begin paying attention to your team. As for me… I just have slightly better foresight than they do. I’m sure you know, Mr. Tony. As an agent, such foresight is crucial.”
It dawned on Tang En in an instant. By using Pepe, Mendes hoped to pull the relationship of Forest and Tang En closer to himself. All of it was because he looked well upon Forest’s future. This was equivalent to making a risky investment. With how the European soccer scene was set, there was only that group of powerhouses and small-to-mid scale clubs. There would not be many changes. However, the rise of Forest heralded the potential of breaking that stalemate. Mendes had spotted exactly that potential, which led him to be so proactive in contacting Tang En. Despite his honeyed words earlier, the truth was that he held the cards to various football stars under his wing. What was a single Pepe worth? By going with the flow and doing Forest a favor, he could sweeten their relationship. Before making any future movements in the transfer market, wouldn’t Forest still need to consult a financial shark such as him? Through this, he could gain control over the transfers of the Forest Team, reaping greater benefits for himself.
It was difficult to ascertain if that was right or wrong. Tang En knew that everyone hoped to benefit themselves. Perhaps he should even feel somewhat honored? After all, Spain’s hot-shot agent had seen that Forest’s potential would further develop. Regardless, Tang En’s principle was not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Regarding control over the club… If he has the ability, then let him try!
Tang En nodded his head. “I understand. Four million is a reasonable price. Mr. Mendes; regarding Pepe’s terms, we could have a face-to-face discussion.”
He looked at Shania, who was clearing the cutlery. “My apologies. I’m still on vacation in Brazil. When my vacation ends, I’ll call you as soon as possible.”
Mendes acknowledged his words, agreeing with a laugh. After saying their farewells, they put down their phones.
Tang En looked to Shania and asked with a smile, “Where are we going today, Shania?”
※※※
If Mendes had also transmigrated, he would not have chosen to take the same actions as he did today. If he had known that Pepe would be able to fetch a price of thirty million Euros in just two years, he would certainly wallow in regret over what he did.
And if Tang En could have transmigrated just two months later, he would be over the moon for what he had earned. Four million in exchange for thirty million; what a haul!