August 1, Bilbao, Spain.
"I promise, we'll give you first team minutes."
"We're absolutely not buying you just to use you as a substitute. Whether you go to Atlético Madrid or Manchester City, you won't get the feeling you'd have at Liverpool."
"Don't forget, we have Lin!"
"Your idol. We all know how much you like him. You can eat with Lin every day, train with him, hang out with him, and go to the gym with him."
"You could even become Lin's neighbor. Every day, the two of you could hold hands and dance together."
Off to the side, Manchester City director Begiristain and Atlético Madrid's transfer director silently raised their middle fingers at Mike in their hearts.
They knew it. Once negotiations reached the most crucial moment, Mike would definitely bring out the great Buddha that was Leo Lin to lure, no, attract Rodri.
"Come to Manchester City. We guarantee you'll enter the first team squad very soon."
"After two seasons, we'll make you a starter. You'll become Fernandinho's successor."
Atlético Madrid and Manchester City both wanted Rodri badly, and both clubs had joined the race for him.
Rodri was torn.
Extremely torn.
What worried him most was playing time. He was afraid that after joining one of these giant clubs, he would not get a reasonable amount of time on the pitch.
But ever since Mike brought up Leo Lin, the thought in Rodri's heart had only become firmer.
He would never forget watching Leo Lin's performance against Italy in the World Cup qualifiers, back when Leo Lin had only just been promoted to the first team.
Rodri had not been selected for Spain's first team squad at this World Cup, but he had watched every Spain match from start to finish.
The more he watched, the more he admired Leo Lin. He only wanted to fight side by side with Leo Lin. He had no other thoughts.
In the end, two days later, on August 3, Rodri officially announced that he would join Liverpool.
Liverpool fans' anxious hearts finally received a powerful shot of reassurance.
"Liverpool announce that they have officially reached a transfer agreement with Atlético Madrid, successfully signing Defensive Midfielder Rodri for 27 million euros plus 2 million euros in add-ons!"
Liverpool fans celebrated wildly.
This was exactly what they had been desperate to see.
After Emre Can left, Lucas was also loaned out, and Liverpool's original midfield transfer target, Naby Keïta, was canceled by the club's higher-ups.
That was because Mike believed Keïta's role was somewhat similar to Leo Lin's, more like an infinitely scaled down version of Leo Lin, so there was no need to buy him.
Then, not long after, Liverpool finalized another transfer that had been kept as hidden as hidden could be.
So hidden that when the transfer news was finally exposed, some fans did not even know Liverpool had been targeting this player at all.
Another Defensive Midfielder.
In the early hours of August 4, Romano urgently released the transfer news, and it quickly rushed onto the front pages.
"Liverpool finalize their second transfer deal. Congratulations to Fabinho from Monaco. The young Brazilian genius Midfielder has successfully joined Liverpool for 45 million euros, paid in three installments!"
Not only had they bought Fabinho at a good price, they had even negotiated the payment into three installments. This method allowed Liverpool to keep more transfer funds available during this window and left them with greater room to operate. Mike's move quickly earned praise from Liverpool fans.
But this was still far from over.
After finalizing Fabinho's transfer, Mike lay comfortably back in his recliner with a cigar between his lips.
His right foot rested on the desk, his left foot crossed over his right. His expression was calm, and in his slightly tired eyes, golden light seemed to shine as he murmured to himself:
"Just wait."
"The real main event is still coming."