Chapter 62

Before setting off for Spain, Audrich finalized a transfer in London. The offer was for Danny Mills, a young player from Norwich, a team that had been relegated from the Premier League last season, for 200,000 pounds. After some negotiation, the final price was set at 300,000 pounds.

Danny Mills was already 19 years old and could play as a center-back or right-back. To increase the team's depth, Audrich needed to ensure there were two to three players for each position. Players like Lucas Neil and Zambrotta, who were only 18, couldn't be expected to play the entire season. It wasn't that they couldn't do it, but doing so would exhaust them and severely impact their future development. Healthy competition would also help prevent them from becoming complacent and arrogant, keeping them on their toes.

In the sunny and pleasant Spain, Audrich and Andrew split up after arriving. Audrich went alone to the town of Tuylla in the city of Grieo. In a not-so-prosperous neighborhood, Audrich, dressed in a suit and wearing sunglasses, stood out. He followed the address on the piece of paper in his hand, and as he got closer to his destination, he noticed the buildings becoming more like slums. Of course, this was a reflection of the wealth disparity. Compared to the clean, tidy, and aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods, this area, though not inhabited by the poorest, was certainly not affluent.

Stopping in front of a small house, Audrich took off his sunglasses and carefully examined the modest dwelling. He sighed lightly, thinking to himself that many future well-paid football stars had very humble beginnings.

It was precisely such opportunities that gave Audrich a chance to act. Sometimes he asked himself if what he was doing was despicable, but he could never convince himself to give up. Who would care about others' opinions when there was a golden opportunity to be seized? Besides, he wasn't a ruthless businessman; he could live with himself.

After tidying his clothes, Audrich knocked on the door.

"Who are you?"

The man who opened the door was middle-aged, with a scruffy beard that wasn't unkempt but clearly showed signs of hardship.

Audrich took out a business card and handed it to him, smiling and speaking in Spanish, "Sir, my name is Audrich Hall. I come from London and am the owner and head coach of a football club. I am very interested in your son and hope he can join my team."

The middle-aged man looked shocked, his hand trembling as he held the card. He asked incredulously, "David? David is only 14. How much will you offer him?"

In many parts of the world, such as Africa, South America, and even Europe, playing football is a way for families from the lower strata of society to change their fate. Becoming a professional footballer and a star can transform the fortunes of an entire family or even a clan. As for those talented but penniless geniuses, they have no leverage to negotiate before they are in the spotlight. They will play for whoever pays the most.

Audrich entered the narrow house and sat on a creaky single sofa. At this moment, a mother and son appeared in the living room. The 14-year-old boy stood in front of his mother, who had her arm around his neck, as if afraid of losing her child.

Audrich smiled and examined the boy, confirming he had the right person. He turned to the middle-aged man and said, "His name is David Villa Sanchez, right?"

The man nodded and gestured to his son, who seemed nervous. He asked Villa to greet Audrich. Villa opened his mouth, unsure of what to call Audrich, and finally managed to say, "Hello."

Audrich gestured for Villa to sit down and chat. Villa looked at his father, who nodded, and then sat down next to him.

Audrich took out a stack of documents from his briefcase and handed them to Villa and his father, saying sincerely, "My club is called Millwall. You may not have heard of it before. This is a brief introduction to the club. By the way, next season, my team will be competing in the top English league."

Villa and his father flipped through the documents, which mostly contained illustrated introductions to the club's facilities, including the Lion's Den stadium, training grounds, internal equipment, and some data from last season's matches.

Villa read the documents with great interest, his eyes filled with longing, while his father seemed less enthusiastic. He said solemnly, "Sir, even if what you say is true, we can't just hand our child over to you and let you take him away from Spain to a strange place like London."

Audrich nodded and said frankly, "I don't think David should be separated from his parents at his current age. Therefore, the club can provide you with a free apartment. Additionally, if you are willing, the club's community can offer job opportunities."

The gift Barnet had given Audrich six months ago came in handy. Audrich could provide free apartments, and the community's supermarkets and bars could offer jobs to families moving to England. Of course, this was for economically disadvantaged families. East London, with its large immigrant population, posed no issues of adaptation or cultural clash.

Villa's father was a miner with a low and dangerous income. Hearing Audrich's attractive offer, he was already somewhat tempted.

"David has unparalleled football talent. I hope he can join Millwall's youth academy to receive the best guidance and care, ensuring his healthy development. When he grows up, he can become an important part of Millwall."

"An apprentice?"

"I know your family is in a difficult situation, but that's not a problem. If David is willing to come to Millwall, I can offer him a contract of 2,000 pounds per week. When he joins the senior team, I believe his待遇 will improve significantly."

"Two thousand pounds?!"

The family of three widened their eyes. Even after taxes, that would be over 4,000 pounds a month, while the current welfare standard in the UK was less than 500 pounds a month. This amount of money would allow them to live much better in London, especially with a free apartment.

Villa's father didn't agree immediately but said, "Let us think about it."

This unexpected opportunity was too big, leaving him dazed.

Audrich wasn't in a hurry. He took out an envelope from his briefcase and placed it on the table, saying before leaving, "If you decide, you can call me anytime, or you can come to London to take a look first."

After Audrich left, Villa opened the envelope on the table. Inside were 1,000 pounds and three round-trip tickets from Spain to London.

On the way out of the town, Audrich's phone rang. He answered and heard Andrew's voice.

"Both players are secured. El格拉's uncle is in the same industry as me. I discussed the terms with him, and it was settled. Capdevila is the same."

"Good. Next stop, Italy."

Ivan Helguera, 20, and Joan Capdevila, 17, had not signed any formal contracts with any teams. Acquiring these two players would cost the club nothing in transfer fees.

The former was a key player in the first phase of the Galaxy, capable of playing as a center-back or defensive midfielder. The latter was the only non-Barcelona or Real Madrid player in the 2010 World Cup-winning Spanish team, playing as a left-back.

Two days later, in the capital of Italy, Rome.

In a café, a man in his thirties was reading the "Rome Sports Daily," occasionally sipping coffee, looking relaxed.

Audrich and Andrew entered the café. Audrich scanned the room and saw the man in a T-shirt. He walked over calmly and greeted him in Italian. The man closed the newspaper and gestured for Audrich and Andrew to sit opposite him.

"Alberto De Rossi. Mr. Audrich Hall, Mr. Andrew Hall, how are you?"

The man bowed and shook hands with both guests, then gestured to a teenager flipping through a football magazine at the end of the café, calling out softly, "Daniele."

The teenager, who looked very much like his father, put down the magazine and sat next to his father.

Audrich examined the 13-year-old De Rossi and then looked back at Alberto De Rossi, speaking earnestly, "Mr. De Rossi, I know you have a special affection for this city and the Roma team. I also know you will do everything to make your son a part of Roma. Before I extend my invitation, I acknowledge two things: first, Daniele's talent, and second, his potential contribution to Roma if he stays in Rome."

Alberto De Rossi was nearing retirement but still played for Roma. He was certain that young De Rossi's future should also be with Roma.

The elder De Rossi nodded honestly, "That's true. So, I don't think this meeting will have a satisfactory outcome for both sides. I have doubts about English football. Sending my son to Millwall might ruin him."

The elder De Rossi was straightforward, not mentioning Italian football but implicitly belittling the football environment outside Italy.

Audrich paused for a moment and said, "In my team, there are currently four young Italian players."

The elder De Rossi raised the "Rome Sports Daily" and said teasingly, "The whole of Italy knows that, and you even recommended those players to the Italian youth team. Ha ha."

He flipped the newspaper, and a headline caught Audrich's eye: "Where is Millwall Village?"