Krösche didn't answer.
Hardung turned toward him, his expression tight.
"Not the decision itself," he clarified, "but the timing." He paused briefly before continuing. "I honestly don't believe this is the best moment to sell him."
Preuß raised an eyebrow but said nothing yet.
Hardung leaned back in his chair.
"If we keep Lukas one more year," he continued thoughtfully, "a full season in the Bundesliga, Champions League exposure, another year of development… his value could go even higher. Much higher. What we're seeing now might not even be his peak market value."
Krösche rubbed his forehead again but still stayed silent.
Preuß finally leaned forward slightly, his expression calm in contrast to Hardung's concern.
"There's a saying from my hometown," Prus said quietly.
Hardung glanced at him.
"My grandparents used to repeat it all the time when I was young."
Preuß shrugged lightly.
"A bird in the hand is worth more than ten thousand in the wild."
