Chapter 11: First Professional Contract Offer
"Hey, Lamps! I owe you big time. Thanks for convincing me to go watch this Amateur League match. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you." Outside the small E City Club's stadium, Ross thanked his friend Lampard on the phone.
"Like I said, the boy has tremendous talent. If he can't save your job, nobody can. I couldn't believe that he was in your Club's youth academy but was stolen by an amateur club."
"In my defence, I can only say that we share a joint youth system."
"Anyway, sign him fast." The transfer window will close in two more days."
"Alright, I will treat you to dinner next time we meet. I need to get this deal done ASAP, so I will catch up with you later."
"Oh wait! Before I forget, could you tell me what he exactly did on the pitch that you got convinced by half-time?"
"The kid scored two goals and got an assist. The boy's attacking instincts are off the charts."
"Did he not make those accurate diagonals or the defence cutting through balls? His passing is his greatest asset, you know."
"He was playing a false nine. His team was in the opposition half most of the time. This kid was simply running into pockets of space, crossing occasionally when he went wide, or just looking for those one-two plays around the box. I was thinking of using him in a similar role, but I'm not sure now."
"I remember how you told me that the wing play was your biggest problem. Use the lad on the wings. I'll let you in on a secret. The left wing will bring the best out of him. He has trained the most for that position."
"We need someone who can go past people and create chances from out wide, can he do that?
"At this point when you have already decided to get him, I think it's okay for me to let you know this. Ross, this lad trained under my nose for almost a year. Back then he didn't need to go past people to create opportunities for others or himself. I don't know his dribbling skills at all now. So it's your call whether you play him wide or central. Just don't forget that the boy likes to play on the wing."
"Okay man, I won't forget. Anyway, thanks again for all the help."
"Anytime."
- - -
"Hey, I have news for you, Harry. You won't believe it." Harry's agent walked into his dormitory with a nervous smile on his face.
"That expression on your face says that we got a difficult offer?"
"You are such a spoil sport. Yes, we got an offer. However, you won't believe who it's from. The manager of the Peasants called me. It was Ross Taylor himself asking about your contract situation."
"Hmm, are you talking about that young E country manager 'Ross Taylor,' who is known as the promotion expert? When did he join the Peasants?
"Hey, I told you to get a social media account or surf the net or watch football news. You need to stay updated with the changes in the world of football. He has been at the club for half a year now."
"Oh, so that's why the Peasants are sixth in the Premier League right now, 18 points behind The Lancers at the top."
"7th in the league, 19 points behind. You seriously need to stay updated. Anyway, they are looking to buy you from the E-City Club, and the manager said he wants you to play in the first match of February for the Peasants."
"Man, that's unbelievable. Can things be even done so fast?"
"Yes. Thankfully because of your contract situation. The Peasants are willing to pay the 2 million contract termination fees for you. Apparently, Ross was pissed at the youth team management for letting a player of your caliber join the E-City Club."
"Hahaha, now you can praise me for my vision not to sign a normal contract with this small club. Otherwise, these E City exploiters would have never let me go for cheap."
"Little Boss, don't tease me. At that time, I tried to get you a normal contract for I was fooled by the money offered."
"You just didn't believe in my talents and felt that little bit of money was good."
"Yes boss, I made a mistake."
"I wonder how you can deal with everyone else's contracts perfectly but not mine? Anyway, have the Peasants sent us their offer yet?"
"Yes, they gave you three options. Ross says that with his own position in jeopardy, the decision makers are not going to budge."
"So, we can only choose? Actually, it doesn't matter. Just summarize the offers for me."
"The first offer is an insult to you and Ross. I can't believe they offered you £1,000 a week, lots of bonuses that don't amount to much and a £20,000,000 release clause for a 5-year contract."
"Next one," Harry said with a frown on his face.
"Their second offer is a bit better. It's a three-year deal, with the club having the right to extend it by one year, no bonuses and a £10,000 a week salary."
"Next one, they just want more years for little money from me if I am a good player or to sell me to the highest bidder if I perform badly." Harry got gloomier as he kept on listening.
"The third one is an offer drafted by Ross. It's a half-year contract, with the club having the option to extend it by 1 year. You are guaranteed 10 minutes every league match if you are not suspended or injured. You get bonus rewards for 15 appearances, scoring 10 goals, getting 5 assists, helping the team reach the ECFF Cup qualification spot at the end of the season and helping the team win the domestic cup. The bonuses amount to £2,000,000. The wage is pretty low, you get paid £25,000/6 months as your wage."
"This offer is too complicated. Forget these lousy contracts. Listen carefully, you tell the Peasants that a G country club has offered me a 3-year deal for €7,000,000, a €40,000,000 release clause, guaranteed 45 minutes per match (unless injured or suspended) and €1,000,000 in bonuses. If the Peasants match the offer, I will stay as thanks to the academy for developing me."
"Little Boss, no big boss. You are crazy. We don't have an offer like that. If we did, your Grandpa would probably double or triple my salary. Don't do this to me. The highest paid player, the captain of the Peasants only earns €3,000,000 a year and you want €2,350,000 a year."
"If the club refuses to match the offer, then you can demand this from them: A 2-year deal for €6,000,000, a €30,000,000 release clause, guaranteed 30 minutes per match (unless injured or suspended,) €500,000 as signing bonus, €500,000 as league winning bonus, €250,000 for the golden boot, €250,000 for the domestic cup."
"I can't believe you upped your offer."
"Well, they need to realise I'm unhappy with them. Anyway, they will most probably refuse these two offers. If they still try to negotiate with you, only then will you make this final demand: A 2-year deal for €5,000,000, a €35,000,000 release clause, guaranteed 45 minutes per match (unless injured or suspended,) €500,000 as signing bonus, €500,000 as league winning bonus, €500,000 for the golden boot and €100,000 for the domestic cup."
"Boss, are you messing with me? This is your future."
"I am not messing around, I really got an offer from a G country club. My online mentor knows some people. They watched the last three matches I played and offered me a contract. It's on that table over there. You can show it to these Peasants club negotiators. However, only show the contract to them when you give that 2nd offer."
"Boss, you are so evil. Couldn't you tell me first that you really got an offer?" Harry's Agent quickly took the contract in his hand. He turned his head to look at Harry and spoke again, "Boss, this is such a good deal. Do we really need to negotiate with the Peasants?"
"No matter what the circumstances, I got excellent training at the youth academy. I am willing to stay and help the club in this difficult period."
"That's very noble of you, little boss. However, these wonderful negotiation tactics of yours are a bit devilish. You're doing this for money, aren't you?
Making them think I am lying with the first demand. Hence, they will refuse.
Afterwards, I will increase the price and show proof of the lower priced contract. This will result in them regretting and trying to negotiate a lower price.
Finally, I lower your price, but it is higher than the original demand you made. Boss, am I the agent or you are?"
"Less flattering, more work. Go do a good job. You don't have to be so nervous anymore. My talent has been finally recognised by professional clubs. So, you can focus on making those contracts worthy of me." Harry walked the agent out of the door.
"Two clubs have approached you in a single day. I think it is safe to say that finally, the tough times are over." Maria's voice didn't take long to sound within Harry's mind.
'Yes, finally. It has been two years since that fateful day when I failed the tryouts in my home country. I lost you for 2 years after that. I lost the system for two years after that.' Harry stepped out on the balcony, gazed at the stars and recalled his memories from the past two years.
On that fateful day, he met a little girl who liked to act mature. Even though he never met her again, his promise with her kept Harry dedicated to train and go to the E Continent.
Two of his friends left for the E continent after the tryouts. Sherry was accepted at Blaugrana's academy and David joined the Red Devils. The two of them received education and training at their academies. This year, the two of them have made it to the under 23 squads for their clubs.
Robinson found his way to E continent that same month. He was scouted by a 4th Division team of E Country. He has transferred to a 2nd Division Club this summer.
The one with the most success was Ali. He trained until May with Harry in K village. He and Harry sent their resumes to many clubs in E continent. Ali was offered the opportunity to participate in trials by various clubs next season.
He decided to come to N country for tryouts at The Lancers, the best club which gave him a chance. He got a professional contract, but played for the under 23s for the larger part of his first season.
Although, at the end of his first season, he had made 4 appearances in the Premier League. The 7th best league of
the E Continent according to ECFF. He is playing a lot more this season and his stocks are rising every match.
By May of that year, Harry was in a hurry to get to the E continent. All clubs that accepted his resume wanted him to have tryouts next season or during the season break. They were the months of June, July and August. Harry didn't want to lose his missions even though the system was locked.
He got a chance to join the Peasants youth setup in early May on the condition he would play for the E-city amateur team. He played the last 3 matches of the season for the E-city club. He was undoubtedly their best player in those matches with his fitness, attacking awareness and passing ability.
The next season, he had no choice but to accept a contract with E-city or get expelled from the academy. Harry firmly refused their best offers and negotiated a Pay as you Play contract for two years with a €2,000,000 termination fees clause.
Harry was the best player for the amateur team that year, but he was ignored by the Peasants youth teams. He wasn't given a better contract either by E-City Club. Harry didn't have his system back yet, so he didn't care about the contract situation much. He was focused on improving his natural abilities and graduating from the academy.
However, things changed when his system was re-activated two weeks earlier. His notifications kept ringing, his stats increased, he got some interesting rewards and now he was a changed man.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone