Arsène Wenger had been going through a difficult period.
Arsenal had won the league and FA Cup double the previous season, which many regarded as the beginning of a new era for the club. However, Wenger knew that such expectations were unrealistic, especially with Manchester United pursuing them so aggressively.
After failing to sign Curtis and Essien, Ferguson spent heavily on Ferdinand, submitting an astonishing offer in his determination to repair the weaknesses in Manchester United's defence.
That made Wenger feel threatened because he understood Ferguson's capabilities.
Arsenal's own situation had recently become increasingly difficult.
While the club struggled to complete new signings, several important players suffered injuries.
First, Pires was ruled out of several pre-season matches. Then Ljungberg suffered a hip injury that would keep him out for at least three months.
It was a serious blow to Arsenal, particularly because everyone understood the importance of those two players.
Wenger therefore had no choice but to search quickly for replacements.
For some reason, the first club that came to mind was the Red Rebels.
New Manchester United's two goalkeepers, Čech and Almunia, were both players Wenger admired, particularly Čech.
The Czech goalkeeper's outstanding performances in League Two had attracted interest from countless clubs. Wenger had been prepared to spend heavily to sign him, but his efforts had ultimately failed.
Ethan had even issued a warning through the newspapers.
If Wenger continued approaching New Manchester United's players without permission, Ethan would take Arsenal to court.
Wenger then turned his attention to Hleb.
The Belarusian could play on either wing, possessed excellent technique, and had enough pace to create danger from both sides.
Wenger hoped to sign him for a reasonable price and use him to cover the absences of Pires and Ljungberg.
New Manchester United's response, however, never changed.
No.
Wenger's problems did not end there.
He also needed another midfielder and a centre-back.
After Ethan had taken Kolo Touré from under his nose, Wenger had been left short of defensive options.
He now hoped to sign both Van Bommel and Hofland from PSV Eindhoven.
Hofland was also a player Ferguson had attempted to sign the previous year without success.
Sign Hofland and infuriate Ferguson.
Wenger's thinking contained a trace of spite, but negotiations with PSV soon had to be suspended.
Guus Hiddink, who had led South Korea at the World Cup, became PSV's manager after the tournament.
Van Bommel and Hofland were both extremely important to his plans, and he had no intention of allowing either player to leave easily.
Hiddink also believed PSV needed an outstanding winger.
He intended to use a 4-3-3 formation, and that system could not function properly without quality in the wide positions.
Among the candidates recommended by PSV's scouting department, Arjen Robben stood at the top of the list.
The 18-year-old had recently emerged as one of the most exciting young players in the Netherlands.
Despite his age, he already possessed two years of top-flight experience.
His performances for Groningen had earned widespread praise and attracted attention from several Dutch clubs.
Both Ajax and Feyenoord wanted to sign him.
After watching only a few clips of Robben, Hiddink immediately instructed general manager Frank Arnesen, who oversaw transfers, to contact Groningen.
He wanted Robben at any cost.
Arnesen had followed the youngster for a long time.
The only reason he had not acted sooner was that he wanted to wait for Hiddink's arrival.
The demanding manager had been recruited at great expense, and Arnesen did not want to move without his approval.
Once Hiddink agreed, Arnesen immediately contacted Groningen to discuss the transfer.
The response he received took him completely by surprise.
"I'm sorry, Frank, but he is no longer our player."
The Groningen representative sounded apologetic.
He had previously reached a verbal understanding with Arnesen, promising PSV priority if Robben was sold.
However, PSV had later failed to follow up on the agreement.
"What do you mean?" Arnesen asked, surprised and increasingly angry.
"He has already been sold for a substantial fee. He signed an agreement with the other club yesterday."
"Damn it! Who was it? Ajax? Feyenoord? Ferguson?"
Arnesen immediately named several clubs rumoured to be interested in Robben.
"No, no, Frank.
"They may have been interested, but none of them submitted a formal offer, including PSV.
"We could not continue waiting indefinitely, especially when the offer we received was so good."
"Who signed him?" Arnesen demanded.
He possessed an extremely controlling personality.
Whenever he identified a young player he wanted, he tried to bring him into his own club, regardless of whether the player suited the squad.
That approach had led to lawsuits, criticism, and even punishments.
His desire to control transfers had also caused several disputes with managers.
Years later, his conflict with Mourinho at Chelsea would fully expose that side of his character.
"New Manchester United from England's League One.
"They call themselves the Red Rebels.
"They offered £3.5 million, and I had no reason to reject such a good deal.
"I know you were interested as well, but I could not wait forever."
After exchanging a few more words, the Groningen representative ended the call.
Arnesen threw down the telephone in fury and gritted his teeth, desperate for somewhere to direct his anger.
He could not accept losing a player to a League One club.
"Damn you. I'll make you pay for this," he muttered bitterly.
He immediately called one of PSV's scouts and requested information about New Manchester United.
A new lead soon emerged.
Rumours suggested that the Red Rebels were pursuing Brazil's highly rated young star Kaká.
Very few outsiders knew that New Manchester United had already signed Kaká before loaning him back to São Paulo.
Arnesen therefore regarded the situation as an opportunity.
Kaká's agreement with São Paulo was approaching its end, so he immediately began searching for a way to contact him.
Had Arnesen known it was only a loan arrangement, he might not have acted so impulsively.
"Hello, Ricardo."
Arnesen tried to sound as courteous as possible.
"Hello. May I ask who is calling?" Kaká replied politely.
"Allow me to introduce myself.
"I am Frank Arnesen, general manager of PSV Eindhoven.
"I'm sure you've heard of both me and the club.
"I brought Ronaldo from Brazil, and I believe I have found the next one in you."
Kaká fell silent.
Arnesen interpreted that reaction as astonishment.
After all, Kaká was still a youngster with limited experience.
Few Brazilian players could resist an approach from PSV, particularly when Arnesen had deliberately linked him with Ronaldo.
What Brazilian footballer did not admire Ronaldo?
"What do you think?
"If you agree, I'll contact São Paulo immediately."
Arnesen felt he had already gained the advantage.
He then heard Kaká speaking to someone else.
The other person appeared to ask who was calling, and Kaká explained that it was Frank Arnesen from PSV Eindhoven.
Arnesen assumed Kaká was speaking with his agent.
"Let me speak to him, Ricardo," the other person said.
Arnesen smiled.
If Kaká's agent wanted to take over the conversation, then the transfer clearly had a chance.
"Hello, Mr Arnesen."
The new voice sounded polite.
Arnesen deliberately remained silent for several seconds before responding.
"Hello. Are you Kaká's agent?"
The other man paused briefly, then laughed.
"No, Mr Arnesen. I believe you have misunderstood.
"I am not Kaká's agent. I am his employer.
"My name is Ethan Yu, and I represent the Red Rebels."
The moment Arnesen heard those words, he felt as though he had fallen from the clouds into a bottomless pit.
He had never imagined that his call to Kaká would be answered by Ethan himself.
Could their relationship truly be that close?
Humiliation, regret, and embarrassment struck Arnesen all at once.
Acting completely irrationally, he ended the call without another word.
It was the only way he could escape the situation.
...
Ethan listened to the disconnected tone and looked at Kaká in confusion.
"What happened? He hung up without saying anything."
He handed the telephone back to Kaká.
"He was probably frightened when he heard your voice, Boss," Curtis joked with a laugh.
Ethan shrugged helplessly.
"I think Arnesen was trying to poach Ricardo.
"When he realised I was here, he lost his nerve.
"Never mind him.
"Ricardo, what do you think of the house?"
Kaká, Curtis, Messi, Essien, and several others had accompanied Ethan to inspect the property.
"It's excellent.
"The neighbourhood is quiet, and the facilities are very good.
"Thank you, Boss."
Kaká knew Ethan had selected the house specifically for him, which left him deeply touched.
"Don't say that, Ricardo. I should be thanking you as well.
"You are now one of the most highly rated young players in Brazil, yet you're joining a League One club.
"I can already imagine how shocked everyone will be when we announce it."
The thought of the media's reaction filled Ethan with satisfaction.
He had always enjoyed doing things that surprised people.
"No, Boss. I'm the one who should be grateful to you and the club.
"Without your help, I would never have reached this point.
"It will be an honour to play for New Manchester United," Kaká said sincerely.
His words immediately earned the approval of Curtis and the other players.
"All right, enough of that.
"I've already reached an agreement with the developer regarding the properties in this neighbourhood.
"The club will buy them.
"For now, two of you can share each house and decide the arrangements among yourselves.
"But I believe this will only be temporary."
The players looked surprised.
Ethan laughed.
"Don't misunderstand. The club will not charge you rent.
"I've simply reserved a large amount of land near my own home.
"When your salaries increase, you can build your own houses there.
"Imagine how good that would be."
Every player had visited Ethan's home and knew how exceptional the surrounding area was.
The neighbourhood was quiet, spacious, and almost perfect.
Beckham also lived next door, which made the idea even more exciting to them.
(To be continued.)