186: The "Crown Jewel" and the Art of Negotiation

In the conference room of the Phoenix Training Center, Lin Feng was carefully studying the documents spread out on the table.

The celebration for fifteen consecutive wins had just ended, but his attention had already completely shifted to the winter transfer window.

Richard Arnold sat opposite him, holding a detailed transfer plan.

"Boss, I've already figured out the situation with Southampton."

Richard pushed a financial report in front of Lin Feng.

"Their debt problem is even more serious than outsiders imagine, but precisely because of this, their asking price for Lallana is also outrageously high."

Lin Feng's fingers tapped lightly on the table, his eyes scanning the numbers on the report with intense focus.

The [Market Analysis] module silently activated in his mind, and Southampton Club's financial status was precisely broken down into data models by the system.

Total debt, cash flow deficit, and critical time nodes for urgently needed funds—every key piece of information was clearly displayed in his consciousness.

"How much are they asking?"

"Eight million pounds, and they demand a one-time payment."

Richard shook his head.

"This price is completely beyond Lallana's current market value; they're clearly trying to scare us off."

Lin Feng's lips curved slightly upward.

Southampton's management thought they were negotiating with an ordinary League One club, unaware that they were sitting opposite a "prophet" with future information.

"Richard, prepare a new offer."

Lin Feng stood up and walked to the window.

"A total of six million pounds, with a two-million-pound down payment, and the remaining amount paid over three years. Additionally, if Lallana transfers to a bigger club in the future, we are willing to give Southampton twenty percent of the sell-on clause."

Richard's eyes lit up instantly.

This plan not only solved Southampton's cash flow problems but also provided them with a guarantee of future income.

"Boss, this plan is indeed very attractive, but I'm worried they will still stick to their asking price."

"Then let them stick to it."

Lin Feng turned around, his eyes sparkling with confidence.

"At the same time, I want you to arrange for me to speak with Lallana himself. The player's attitude is often more important than the club's stance."

Richard nodded and immediately began contacting intermediaries.

As an experienced sporting director, he knew the weight of a player's own wishes in transfer negotiations.

Two evenings later, Lin Feng sat in his office, an encrypted phone in front of him.

Adam Lallana's slightly nervous voice came from the other end of the line.

"Hello, Mr. Lin. It's an honor to speak with you."

"Lallana, just call me Lin Feng."

Lin Feng's voice was calm and gentle.

"I think we can be direct. I know your current situation, and I know your concerns about the future."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line.

Lallana obviously hadn't expected this mysterious Chinese boss to be so direct.

"I've heard about Hartlepool United's recent performance; fifteen consecutive wins are indeed impressive. But honestly, I'm still a bit hesitant about joining a League One team."

Lin Feng had long anticipated such a response.

He opened the detailed report on Lallana in the system, which recorded all of the player's technical characteristics, development trajectory, and potential issues.

"Lallana, I know your position at Southampton is a bit awkward. Your skill and creativity are confined within a relatively fixed tactical system, and you crave more freedom, don't you?"

A slight breath was heard on the other end of the line.

Lallana was clearly hit where it hurt by these words.

"In our 4-3-3 system, you will play the role of a free attacker in the final third."

Lin Feng continued.

"You can roam freely between attacking midfield and winger, using your dribbling and passing abilities to create chances. The core of our tactics is to unleash the creativity of every skilled player."

"You understand my technical characteristics in such detail?"

Lallana's voice held surprise.

"I've studied your match footage from your youth team days and analyzed every appearance you've made for the first team."

Lin Feng's tone became more professional.

"Your left foot technique is excellent, but your right foot usage is low, which limits your shooting options inside the box. Your passing vision is very good, but under high-pressure pressing, you tend to choose conservative horizontal passes. These issues can all be specifically improved in our training system."

A long silence fell on the other end of the line.

Lallana had never encountered a coach or boss who could so precisely analyze his technical characteristics and development bottlenecks.

"Mr. Lin, what you've said are indeed the areas I've always wanted to improve. But..."

"But you're worried that Hartlepool United is just a League One team and cannot provide you with a higher-level platform?"

Lin Feng directly stated Lallana's concerns.

"I can assure you, we won't stay in League One for long. Next season, we will be in the Championship. And within two years, we will challenge for a Premier League spot."

These words sounded incredibly arrogant, but coming from Lin Feng, they carried a convincing power.

"If you can truly achieve all that, then I am willing to consider joining Hartlepool United."

A hint of wavering was revealed in Lallana's voice.

"But I need to see the club's sincerity, not just the emphasis on me personally, but also a concrete plan for future development."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Lin Feng's voice carried absolute confidence.

"We have just signed a ten-year, eighty-million-pound naming rights contract with Samsung Group, and a new training base and youth academy are also under construction. We have enough resources to support the rapid development of the club."

After the call ended, Lin Feng leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face.

He could feel that Lallana had been mostly convinced; all that remained was to wait for Southampton's response.

The next morning, Richard Arnold went to Southampton with the new offer.

At the same time, Lin Feng began to deal with another transfer target.

Nathaniel Clyne, Crystal Palace's talented right-back, was another important piece of the puzzle in Lin Feng's mind.

But as he expected, Crystal Palace's attitude towards this youth academy gem was extremely firm.

"Boss, Crystal Palace directly rejected any form of contact."

The assistant handed Crystal Palace's reply to Lin Feng.

"Their sporting director said that Clyne is not for sale, and any offer will not be considered."

Lin Feng did not show any disappointment.

In the football transfer market, being rejected for the first time is perfectly normal.

"Send an invitation to Crystal Palace, inviting them to play a friendly match in Hartlepool during the pre-season."

Lin Feng's eyes sparkled with cunning.

"Tell them we are willing to pay a hundred thousand pounds in appearance fees and cover all their travel expenses."

The assistant looked at Lin Feng with some confusion.

The cost of one friendly match was enough to buy a decent player.

"Boss, doing this is for..."

"Building relationships."

Lin Feng answered concisely.

"Today's enemies might be tomorrow's partners. We need to let Crystal Palace's management see Hartlepool United's strength and sincerity."

After the afternoon training, Lin Feng used the newly unlocked [Potential Dynamic Prediction] function to check the status of every player in the team.

The potential values of most players remained stable, and some even increased due to the excitement of the winning streak.

But a red warning sign caught his attention.

The potential rating of substitute striker Mark Vydra had slightly declined, and the system showed the reason as "lack of match incentives leading to decreased training enthusiasm."

Lin Feng frowned.

Vydra was a technically good young striker, but due to Vardy's excellent performance, his playing opportunities were indeed limited.

After training, Lin Feng proactively sought out Vydra.

The young striker was doing extra shooting practice alone, his face full of frustration.

"Mark, how's practice going?"

Lin Feng walked up to him, his tone relaxed.

Vydra looked at the suddenly appearing boss with some surprise.

"It's... it's okay, boss."

His voice carried obvious nervousness.

"I know you haven't been in a good mood lately."

Lin Feng cut straight to the chase.

"Lack of playing time makes you feel that your value in the team has been overlooked, right?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Vydra's eyes.

He hadn't expected the boss to address this sensitive topic so directly.

"Boss, I..."

"No need to explain, it's normal."

Lin Feng interrupted him.

"Any ambitious player wants more playing opportunities, which shows you have drive."

Vydra's nervousness eased slightly.

"But Mark, I need you to understand one thing."

Lin Feng's tone became serious.

"At Hartlepool United, every player has their own value and mission. Vardy is currently our main striker, but football is a team sport, and we need enough depth in every position."

Lin Feng pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, on which a tactical diagram was drawn.

"Look at this; this is the tactic I designed for the upcoming FA Cup match."

Vydra took the paper and carefully studied its contents.

"In this system, you will appear as a shadow striker behind Vardy, using your speed and movement to create space for him, while also looking for your own scoring opportunities."

Vydra's eyes gradually lit up.

This tactical role was exactly what he had always dreamed of.

"Boss, will you really use this tactic in an official match?"

"Of course."

Lin Feng nodded affirmatively.

"But the premise is that you must prove in training that you deserve this position. I need to see your focus and execution, not self-abandonment because of temporary setbacks."

Vydra nodded vigorously.

His fighting spirit was reignited in his eyes.

"I understand, boss. I will prove my worth."

Lin Feng patted his shoulder with satisfaction.

The [Potential Dynamic Prediction] function showed that Vydra's potential value was steadily recovering.

At ten o'clock in the evening, Richard Arnold called from Southampton.

His voice sounded tired but excited.

"Boss, the negotiations went on all day, and their attitude finally softened."

Lin Feng put down the documents in his hand and listened attentively to the report.

"Our installment payment plan indeed impressed them, especially the sell-on clause. Their financial director privately admitted that this money could solve the club's immediate financial problems."

"So what's their final stance?"

"They have agreed to our offer in principle."

Richard's voice carried unconcealed excitement.

"But, they proposed an additional condition."

Lin Feng's brows furrowed slightly.

In transfer negotiations, additional conditions are often the trickiest part.

"What condition?"

"They hope that our veteran striker, Joel Porter, can join them on loan as part of the deal to help them avoid relegation."

Lin Feng was silent for a few seconds.

Joel Porter was a veteran of the team; although his playing time was not much, his experience and professionalism had always been a role model for young players.

"Are they willing to cover all of Porter's salary?"

"Yes, and they are also willing to pay a loan fee."

Richard replied.

"It seems they have a lot of confidence in Porter's abilities."

Lin Feng quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

From a purely business perspective, this deal was beneficial for Hartlepool United.

Porter's departure would free up more space for young players, and Lallana's arrival would significantly improve the team's technical level.

But he also had to consider Porter's feelings and the team's internal unity.

"Richard, tell them I need time to consider. I'll give them an answer tomorrow."

"Okay, boss."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng fell into contemplation.

He needed to have an honest conversation with Porter to ensure this transfer would not negatively impact the team's atmosphere.

Outside the window, the small town of Hartlepool had fallen silent, but Lin Feng knew that a crucial negotiation would unfold tomorrow.

Lallana's arrival would be an important step for Hartlepool United towards a higher level.

And he had to ensure every detail was handled perfectly.