"Twenty million euros?"

  Weood up abruptly when he heard the news from Pat Rice at Arsenal's training base in Kearney, London.

  "Why don't they just rob a bank?"

  Patrice stood aside awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

  How could robbing a bank be so lucrative? The risk would be much higher...

  Patriderstood Wenger's mood better than a ure frustration.

  enger so anxious?

  I years, in order to fund the stru of the Emirates Stadium, Wenger had done everything he could to save money, fog on just one goal: maintaining Arsenal's p the Premier League top four.

  For a club like Arsenal, the pressure was immense, especially sihey were one of the Premier League's "Big Four."

  But things were ging rapidly.

  Last season, Arsenal finished with the same points as Liverpool, but because of goal difference, Liverpool secured third pce, and Arsenal ended up fourth. Tottenham aon were right behind them.

  This summer, Liverpool, under Benitez, who had reached the Champions League final twi three years and won one of them, had earned plenty of revenue. As a result, they were heavily iing iransfer market. Notable additions included Fernando Torres from Atlétiadrid, Ryan Babel from Ajax, and Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva—all ttheeam.

  Everton wasn't idle either. They sighomas Gravesen from Real Madrid and Yakubu from Middlesbrough, along with Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka, spending over 20 million pounds in total.

  For a team like Everton, that was a substantial amount of money.

  Tottenham's spending was even more massive, with high-profile signings like Darre, Younes Kaboul, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Gareth Bale. Their transfer iment was an astonishing 30 million pounds.

  Meanwhile, Arsenal had lost Thierry Henry, José Antonio Reyes, and Freddie Ljungberg, severely weakening their front-liack. Although they brought in Bacary Sagna, Eduardo da Silva, and ?ukasz Fabiański, it was clear that Arsenal's overall strength had taken a hit.

  Especially the firepower up front.

  In this text, Wenger couldn't possibly feel at ease. The pressure was mounting.

  If Arsenal were to slip out of the top four, the financial impact would be catastrophic, with the loss of Champions League revenue hurting them severely.

  Wenger couldn't afford to be careless.

  "Napoli's 20-million-euro asking price is clearly meant to invite a teroffer. It's up to us now," Patrialyzed.

  "What about the pyer?" Wenger asked.

  "Gervinho's agent said the pyer had already spoken with Gao Shen, but Gao didn't give a clear response. Gervinho made it clear that he didn't want to fall out with Gao."

  Hearing this, Wenger looked at Patrice, who nodded in firmation.

  Wenger smiled slightly. "I didn't realize Gao Shen could earn such loyalty from his pyers."

  It would have been easier for Arsenal if Gervinho had pressured Napoli by publicly expressing his desire to leave, but since Gervinho was taking a respectful approach, Arsenal had no choice but to iate directly with Napoli.

  "And that's probably why Napoli feels so fident," Wenger remarked.

  In other words, Napoli wasn't desperate to sell. They were tent with either oute. If Arsenal balked at the priapoli could tell Gervinho that Arsenal didn't want him badly enough.

  In a way, this high price tag wasirely in Gervinho's favor.

  The higher his transfer fee, the greater the club's iment in him, which could also mean higher expectations and locker room pressure once he joined.

  "So, what do we do now?" Pat Rice asked, ed.

  Napoli had made their stance clear. Now it was Arsenal's move.

  Wenger shook his head, smiling bitterly. "Is Gervinho really parable to Malouda?"

  "His potential is higher. He's faster, more skilled, but he's still very young. He'll ime to grow," Patrice replied.

  Gervinho's potential was undeniable: higher talent, faster speed, better footwork. The only downside was his youth aive inexperience. But for a 20-year-old, the fact that he was already being pared to Malouda was remarkable.

  Wenger sighed. "I'll call Gao Shen."

  Patrice was taken aback. "You have his number?"

  Wenger hesitated before expining, "We exged numbers, I think it was after one of the Champions League meetings."

  Patrice smirked. Really? An actal exge?

  In the past year, Gao Shen had bee so promihat everyone in football was aware of him. From managing a team in Serie B to making bold cims about winning Serie A, Gao Shen had captured everyone's attention. If he actually pulled off a title win in Serie A, it would shake Italian football to its core.

  The entire world seemed eager to watch Gao Shen's ast, but deep down, many doubted he could pull it off.

  As Wenger prepared to dial the number, he couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt.

  Was this what it felt like to be oher side of a poag?

  Gao Shen, for his part, was surprised when Wenger called him.

  He couldn't even remember giving Wenger his number. Had Wenger somehow mao get it through other means?

  After some small talk, Wenger cut to the chase and expressed his desire to sign Gervinho.

  Gao Shen nearly ughed out loud.

  Here he was, busy preparing to lead Napoli into Serie A, and Wenger was trying to steal one of his key pyers?

  Gao Sheeo be frustrated. "Professor, are y to ruin me?"

  Wenger, feeling embarrassed, was at a loss for words. It was his first time feeling guilty about making a transfer request.

  Gao Shen eased the tension with a ugh. "Alright, let's be serious. To be ho, the decision isn't up to me. Our boss, De Laurentiis, is very tough. He's already made his position clear: whoever tries to poach his pyers will have to deal with the mafia!"

  Wenger chuckled at that. "A bit dramatic, isn't it?"

  "Of course," Gao Shen admitted. "But seriously, no one oeam dares t up trao him right now."

  In fact, Marino had just been given a tongue-shing the previous day when he suggested a transfer. Gao Shen wasn't exaggerating.

  Wenger, however, wasn't buying the act. He wao know the real price.

  "Just tell me the price, Gao."

  "If it were up to me," Gao Shen tinued, "I'd let you have him for two million euros."

  Wenger nearly dropped the phowo million?"

  "Yeah," Gao Shen joked. "But, as I said, it's not my decision."

  Wenger sighed. This is getting nowhere.

  "How much will it take to get Gervinho?" Wenger asked bluntly.

  Gao Shen paused, pretending to think. "Fifteen million euros, but no promises. I'll have to talk to the boss, and you know how difficult he be."

  Wenger hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing. "Fine, fifteen million euros. No more bargaining."

  He feared that if he tried to push the price down any further, the deal might fall through entirely.

  It wasn't that Napoli didn't want to sell, but Wenger wasn't sure Arsenal could afford to miss out on Gervinho.

  ---

  "Fifteen million euros?"

  Marino was stunned when Gao Shen reyed the news.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Of course," Gao Shen said fidently. "Stay calm, Pierpaolo. Remember, we're not a small club anymore. We're gunning for the Serie A title."

  Hearing that, Marinhtened up, puffing his chest out.

  But Gao Shen couldn't help but recall how Marino always seemed to shrink in front of De Laurentiis, no matter how fident he was elsewhere.

  Maybe it was because De Laurentiis had su overbearing personality.

  "Arsenal will be tag you shortly. In the meantime, get in touch with Vilrreal. If we wait too long, we might lose out on Valencia."

  Gao Shen knew how delicate the timing was. Selling Gervinho without seg a rept could leave Napoli vulnerable.

  "And when Arsenal wires the money," Gao Shen added, "don't fet to remind De Laurentiis about my 20% cut."

  Marino groaned. Here we go again.

  He had already beeed by De Laurentiis once because of the 20% cuse in Gao Shen's traow, having to actually deliver the money would likely cause another eruption.

  "Maybe you should tell him yourself," Marino suggested, trying to deflect the responsibility.

  "You're the general manager," Gao Shen replied. "Why would I o talk to him?"

  Marino nearly broke down in tears. Why is it always me?

  You two split the money. Why do I have to be the oo deliver the bad news?

  Gao Shen sensed Marino's hesitation and offered some advice. "Remember what I told you before: we may be employees, but we should have dignity. When the boss makes unreasonable demands, we o push back. Managing upward is key. If you keep letting him walk all over you, we'll be the ones who suffer."

  Marino nodded, realizing that Gao Shen was right.

  "But... whenever I see him, especially with that fierce look on his face, I 't help but feel afraid."

  "What are you afraid of?" Gao Shen tered. "Just don't look at him directly. Imagine he's your wife. How do you discipli home? You should do the same with De Laurentiis."

  There was a long pause oher end of the line. Marino didn't respond immediately, which made Gao Shen suspicious.

  "What's the matter?" Gao Shen asked.

  After a few more moments of silence, Marino finally muttered, "Actually... at home, it's my wife who disciplines me."

  Gao Shen was taken aback. "Wait, what?"

  "Yeah," Marino sighed. "I don't really train her. She's the oraining me. I don't dare to talk back to her."

  Gao Shen was stunned. He couldn't help but let out a ugh, but he quickly caught himself. "So, you're telling me yetting pushed around at work and at home?"

  Marino's defeated voice responded, "Pretty much."

  Gao Shen shook his head, uo hold back a smile. "Man, you've got it rough."

  But even through the humao Shehis wasn't an issue Marino could deal with alone. De Laurentiis was tough, and managing someone like that required tad fidence. He made a mental o step in if Marino couldn't ha.

  "Alright, listen," Gao Shen said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "You don't have to front him on your own. If he gets difficult, give me a call. We'll deal with it together."

  Marino sounded relieved. "Thanks, Gao. I'll try my best, but if things get ugly, I'll let you know."