Chapter 69: The Transfer

Sometimes, people are prone to acting foolishly. Mo Mo was currently a classic example of this. A transfer isn't a vacation; how could you possibly organize a group transfer? Even if you really wanted to and the club agreed, you couldn't be so blunt about it! You could have at least gone through one of Inter Milan's satellite clubs or something similar. Some deals simply cannot be put out in the open—well, of course, the Balotelli case from later years doesn't count.

Hector Cuper pondered for a moment. He didn't explicitly say yes, but he did agree to let Mo Mo bring the three players he had his eye on for a trial. It was a roundabout way of accepting Mo Mo’s request.

"A trial? When? Individually or as a group?" Mo Mo actually wanted to see the aptitude of Rong Guang, Zhang Meng, and Wang Qidong for himself. Although both he and Mino thought highly of them, and each had very distinct characteristics, a more scientific assessment was still necessary.

"Please don't worry. It's just a formality. At the very least, I will place them in the second team, the youth squad, or the U17s." Hector Cuper assumed Mo Mo was worried that his recommendations wouldn't pass the trial, but he had overthought it. Mo Mo’s next words confirmed this.

"I’m not worried, Cuper. I’m just thinking, why not make it a bit more rigorous? I believe they are all players with great potential, but I don't know just how much. If—and I mean if—their potential isn't outstanding, then let it be." There was a flicker in Mo Mo's eyes. He wasn't looking to babysit; he was looking for teammates he could fight alongside, comrades who could carry the future of football with him. If they didn't have that kind of talent, what was the point?

"Hmm? Mo Mo! I don't want to be blunt, but if these are players developed by your domestic clubs, then in terms of technique..." Hector Cuper didn't finish the thought, but Mo Mo understood perfectly. Technique? Well, in some respects, the training techniques of Chinese football were indeed "renowned."

"I'm not asking you to train their technique. I just want you to check their physical fitness, their feel for the ball, whether they are worth developing, and what roles they might be suited for." Mo Mo was quite clear on this matter. He had never understood why the focus was always on physical training first. He couldn't control the national team, but he could cultivate powerful teammates to join it with him. Sometimes, when one path is blocked, why not try to find another way around?

The conversation with Hector Cuper was pleasant enough, but there was one awkward issue: even if Mo Mo transferred to Inter Milan, the suspension he incurred in the Bundesliga would perfectly carry over to Serie A.

That was fine, though; it worked out perfectly for Mo Mo to take Rong Guang, Zhang Meng, and Wang Qidong along for their trials.

"Hi, Mino! I've made up my mind about the transfer."

"Are you going to Juventus? Great! The two of us as a strike partnership will be invincible! I’ll be the top scorer, and you’ll be the assist king!"

To Mo Mo's surprise, it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic who answered the phone. Why did he have Mino’s phone?

"Damn it!!! Who do you think you're dealing with? You're dealing with Juventus! Do you think they'd stiff you on the money?" Mino’s roar came through from a distance. Mo Mo was confused. "What is Mino doing? Why do you have his phone? Zlatan?"

Ibrahimovic seemed furious, shouting into the phone, "What else could he be doing? Ajax wants Juventus to pay the full amount upfront, but Juventus wants to pay in installments."

The more Mo Mo heard, the stranger it sounded. "No, Zlatan! That’s not right! Even so, Mino wouldn't be this agitated!"

Ibrahimovic seemed to be snickering on the other end of the line before saying, "Of course. I just told him that if he didn't close the deal, I’d smash his phone. There were other things too, but the phone was the first to suffer."

Poor Mino. Well, I have to admit, none of us are easy to deal with.

"When Mino gets back, tell him I’ve decided to go to Inter Milan!"

Ibrahimovic was sometimes like a child and sometimes like a powder keg. Right now, he had clearly exploded. "Damn it! Do you think Zlatan is a messenger boy?"

Mo Mo twitched his lips. What was the big deal? Just pass on a message! Did he have to be so worked up?

After a lot of noise and chaos, Mino finally finished his business and was able to speak with Mo Mo. Ibrahimovic seemed very dissatisfied because, due to Ajax's stubbornness and Ibrahimovic's own performance not being particularly stellar, Juventus was not firm in their resolve to sign him at the moment. Mino tried to console Ibrahimovic, hoping he would work harder, vowing that he would get him to Juventus by 2004 at the latest.

To this, Ibrahimovic grumbled, "Mo Mo, you little brat! You just wait! We'll see each other in Serie A! The best league is Serie A, the top league is Serie A! The best players belong in Serie A! Damn it! Damn it!"

Once Ibrahimovic had finally walked away, Mino took the phone and asked Mo Mo urgently, "Why Inter Milan? Why not come to Juventus? They’re quite interested in you right now."

Well, Mino’s strongest connection at the moment was with the chairman of Juventus; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to work on the Ibrahimovic deal at this time.

"Mino! You know me. Help me negotiate with Inter Milan!"

Mino understood that Mo Mo had already made up his mind, and could only grumble helplessly. Why couldn't he wait for the summer transfer window? Mo Mo was very likely to win the Bundesliga Golden Boot this season, but instead?

Every family has its own troubles. Forlan and Toni were both ruthlessly sold by their clubs; Mo Mo was actually lucky, considering 1860 Munich really did have financial issues. Moreover, 1860 Munich lacked passion; it really wasn't the right place for Mo Mo. By comparison, Klose was in a much more miserable situation. He had deep feelings for Kaiserslautern, yet he was forced to leave due to the club's financial woes.

Looking at it that way, Mo Mo was much better off than Klose—at least his departure from 1860 Munich was a natural separation without lingering attachment.

And so, on to Inter Milan in Serie A! Mo Mo’s eyes flashed with burning competitive spirit. Since Serie A was currently obsessed with target men and long-ball tactics, it was time to show them that there was another kind of striker—one who scored goals as easily as breathing.