West side of Hyde Park, London.
Mayfair is a world-famous wealthy area that attracts countless rich people from around the world. Many renowned international companies have also chosen to establish themselves there. Every inch of land is worth a fortune.
However, what really made Mayfair capture the attention of football fans around the world was a decision made by Leeds United in the Premier League two years ago.
They rented a house in Mayfair, next to the City of London, as an office and officially established their London branch.
At that time, Leeds United had just entered the Champions League, full of ambition and momentum. This move took everyone by surprise.
Could it be that Leeds United planned to relocate to London?
That would be shocking, since there were already enough football clubs in the capital.
Soon after, Leeds United clarified that they were not moving south, but merely setting up a southern office in London.
The reason was simple. Leeds United also had many fans in southern England. More importantly, the club was establishing a commercial operations department in London.
If you want to make money, you need experts who know how to make money, and you have to go where the money is.
London is undoubtedly the wealthiest place in the UK.
Leeds may be the financial center of the north, but London is the financial center of the world. The club's CEO at the time believed that this move would strengthen Leeds United's commercial power and support a global sponsorship strategy.
Fernando Lucas said that setting up an office in London would help the club attract new sponsors and manage its affairs in the capital more effectively.
After all, both the English Football Association and the Premier League headquarters are in London.
Over the past two years, Leeds United's commercial revenue has indeed grown rapidly.
But what really drew the public's attention was another remark from Lucas: "In accordance with common industry practice."
Only then did many fans realize, especially after the media expanded on the topic, that Leeds United was not the first northern club to open a London office.
As early as 2008, Manchester United became the first to move south. Initially, they only established a fan service office, but over time, most of their operations shifted there.
Today, only a few executive offices remain at Old Trafford. The only major department still based there is fan engagement, while nearly all other divisions have relocated to London.
Even player and coach signings are handled there.
For example, Sanchez's transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United was completed in London.
This has long been a sore spot for many loyal Red Devils fans.
They believe that ever since the move south, Manchester United has focused solely on commercial promotion and grown increasingly distant from its Manchester supporters.
This trend became even more apparent after Ed Woodward took over.
Coming from an investment banking background, he excelled in business but struggled with football matters.
Last season, despite heavy spending, the team was knocked out of the title race early, frustrating the fans.
Maguire for 100 million euros, Lukaku for 85 million euros, Sanchez joining for 34 million euros but disrupting the wage structure, and Matic for 45 million euros.
After spending more than 200 million euros in one summer, they still failed to contend for the league title. How could the fans accept that?
Moreover, Manchester United's transfer dealings in recent years, earning them the nickname "Price-Raising United," have made supporters even more dissatisfied and put great pressure on the management.
Ed Woodward was well aware of these issues. So, during the height of the summer transfer window, he invited Ferguson to the London headquarters to serve as an advisor.
…
"Mourinho has given very clear requirements. Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Mane, or Mbappé are all players we want. But after careful study, it's clear that it will be difficult to sign them all," said the head of the technical team, troubled by the fierce competition in the transfer market.
If matches on the pitch are wars without gunpowder, then the transfer market is the silent spy war before battle, full of hidden tension.
"First of all, we can rule out Mbappé. His agent has made it clear that the player only wants to go to Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid."
Ferguson sat quietly. When he heard this, he lifted his head slightly, scanning the room. The faces were mostly unfamiliar. This was no longer the Manchester United he once knew, and much was beyond his control now.
He lowered his head again and sighed inwardly.
When did Manchester United end up like this?
It seemed that Mbappé intended to stay at Leeds United and had no interest in joining Manchester United.
"We've analyzed the transfer market intelligence. Harry Kane and Dele Alli are both English players, attracting serious attention from Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. Mane is also being pursued by many clubs, including Real Madrid and Bayern. They're all very interested in this left winger."
"We conducted a comprehensive assessment and found that Harry Kane's current market value is around 150 million euros. Leeds United's Rudolf Borrell said that Kane is not for sale, but later added that anyone wanting to sign him must set a record transfer fee."
"Preliminary estimates suggest that Leeds United are asking for 200 million euros."
The room erupted in surprise.
That was an astronomical figure.
"What does the finance department think?" asked Ed Woodward.
A middle-aged man in a suit stood up. "Although Sanchez's arrival has impacted our wage expenses, last year's total salaries were 300 million pounds. However, our operating income reached a record 590 million pounds. Overall, we're financially stable."
Ferguson's eyelids twitched. He silently cursed.
Outrageous.
To think that Sanchez, whom fans considered useless, could still generate such strong revenue growth.
If I'd had these financial resources back then, I'd have flown even higher.
Damn it, has this allowed Manchester City under Gao Shen to become even more dominant?
I miscalculated. I retired too early.
"Of course, based on our technical analysis, signing Harry Kane will be very difficult," said another member.
Two hundred million euros is about 180 million pounds.
"Can we negotiate the price with Leeds United?" Woodward asked.
The technical team fell silent.
In recent years, Manchester United had poached several players from Leeds United.
Four years ago at the World Cup, Leeds paid a large sum for De Vrij, who performed well. Later, Martial's transfer also cost a huge amount, but the young Frenchman initially lived up to expectations.
After that came Zaha and Maguire, both sold for high fees. Zaha was a Ferguson recommendation, while Maguire was among England's best center-backs. Neither deal was considered a failure.
Manchester United knew very well how tough Leeds United's negotiators were.
Even when the market wasn't booming, it was difficult to get a discount from them.
Ed Woodward looked somewhat helpless and turned to Ferguson. "Sir, what do you think?"
From the start, Ferguson had barely spoken or looked up, sitting motionless as though he were asleep.
Now, hearing Woodward's question, he finally stirred.
"Transfer business isn't about making a shopping list. You can't approach it like that," Ferguson said calmly.
Given his status, he didn't need to sugarcoat his words.
"Have you considered the team's actual needs right now? And the needs of our rivals?"
He paused before continuing. "Harry Kane is very popular, no doubt. He's won the World Cup Golden Boot, Best Domestic Player, and Top Scorer. His scoring rate has been consistent for years, and his ability is unquestionable. But is a center forward what we really need?"
"Or if we bring in Harry Kane, what happens to Lukaku?"
Everyone fell into deep thought.
From a commercial perspective, signing Harry Kane would make huge waves and spark global attention. It would be a massive boost for Manchester United's marketing, especially in the domestic market.
More importantly, it could ease tensions between management and fans.
But looking at the squad, with Lukaku already there, why sign Kane?
"Manchester City has Suarez, who is 31, and Jesus, who has been good but not enough. They'll be eager to sign Kane, and Soriano keeps backing Guardiola's requests."
"I'd say that if we compete with them at £200 million, we probably won't get him."
"There's also Mane. Liverpool and Chelsea both urgently need left wingers. Especially Chelsea, after missing the Champions League last season, they'll be even hungrier. Bayern have been looking for elite wingers for a while. Ribery is 35, his playing time is dropping, and they desperately need a top-level replacement."
Last summer, Bayern competed with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona for Felipe Anderson, which forced Barcelona to spend big and scared off Bayern and PSG.
"Our biggest problem now lies in midfield. I mentioned this to Mourinho before. We should strengthen there. Dele Alli is the best English midfielder I've seen in years. He has everything a top player needs," Ferguson suggested.
"But Chelsea are determined to get him too," said Woodward.
After Matic left for Manchester United, Chelsea's midfield weakened. They had to rely on Brozovic, Kovacic, and Fabregas, but it wasn't enough.
That was one key reason Chelsea failed to reach the Champions League last season.
Reports say that after Sarri took charge, he specifically named three targets: Kante, Alli, and Mane.
As for Harry Kane, Sarri reportedly felt that Giroud was sufficient.
In short, this summer, whether it's Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool—the three teams that qualified for the Champions League—or Chelsea and Arsenal, who missed out, they all share the same goal.
Divide Leeds United.
(To be continued.)