"According to the latest reports from the British media, David Beckham, currently in Japan, appears to have made a decision about his future.
"When questioned by reporters at the airport, Beckham said he did not know exactly what the future held, but he was certain of one thing.
"His future is in Manchester.
"The statement has immediately been interpreted as a sign that Beckham intends to remain with Manchester United."
As one of England's biggest stars, Beckham was also a product of Manchester United's academy and had been one of the club's most important players over the previous several seasons.
But his deteriorating relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson had led to him being placed on the transfer market.
During the process, Manchester United had even reached an agreement with Joan Laporta before he had been elected Barcelona president.
"Now, however, Beckham appears to have chosen to remain loyal to Manchester United.
"Some supporters have already interpreted this as a sign that he could finish his career at Old Trafford.
"Manchester United fans are celebrating wildly.
"Some had even made extreme statements about what they would do if Beckham were sold.
"Now, at least for the moment, it appears they have kept him."
The report then became more cautious.
"However, several industry figures believe Beckham's statement may simply be a smokescreen.
"Even if he ultimately remains at Manchester United, a new contract and a reconciliation with Ferguson would still be major obstacles before anyone could seriously talk about him ending his career with the Red Devils."
...
Florentino Pérez sat inside his office at the Santiago Bernabéu, watching the sports news on television.
The next segment showed Beckham arriving in Japan.
Thousands of Japanese supporters had packed Tokyo's airport to welcome David and Victoria.
The scale of the reception made even Florentino take notice.
Real Madrid would also embark on their first major Far East tour that summer.
And of all the Asian markets, Japan was one of the most commercially valuable to the club.
Beckham's popularity there was extraordinary.
If Real Madrid could bring him to the Bernabéu, their commercial operations throughout Asia would receive another enormous boost.
Florentino did not believe Beckham's declaration that his future was in Manchester necessarily meant he would remain at Manchester United.
His instincts told him it was probably a smokescreen.
He had used similar tactics himself.
Ronaldo's transfer the previous summer had involved plenty of misdirection.
"Sánchez was right," Florentino murmured.
"Signing Beckham really is important.
"His commercial appeal is on another level.
"He is an extraordinary money-making machine."
José Ángel Sánchez was one of the key figures behind Real Madrid's commercial expansion.
The business team under him was so highly regarded that major investment banks had tried to recruit some of its members.
Sánchez had also been one of the strongest advocates for signing Beckham.
He had been encouraging Florentino to pursue the Englishman almost from the moment Florentino took over the club.
Florentino had only finally decided to act that year.
Even then, he had first spoken with Ethan.
After returning to Madrid, Florentino also held several frank discussions with Del Bosque.
Given the unusual circumstances of the summer, he had ultimately chosen to pressure Manchester United into lowering Beckham's price while prioritising the more urgent signing of Walter Samuel.
"Now it should be time for Sánchez to make his move."
Florentino smiled.
Almost immediately, someone knocked on the office door.
Sánchez entered.
His expression was troubled.
"Things aren't looking good, Mr. President."
Florentino smiled calmly.
"Not ideal, perhaps.
"But that's fine.
"Make an official offer to Manchester United.
"£15 million.
"Let's raise the bid and see how they respond."
Sánchez gave a strained smile.
In his opinion, Florentino sometimes pushed negotiations to their absolute limit.
Had he not insisted on driving Manchester United's price down so aggressively, Real Madrid could probably have secured Beckham for £25 million weeks earlier.
During the previous meeting in Sardinia, Kenyon might even have accepted £20 million.
Instead, Florentino had stubbornly insisted on £14 million plus either Salgado or Geremi.
He had correctly guessed that Manchester United desperately needed cash.
Yet his offer included a player exchange and instalments.
Kenyon had left the meeting furious.
"No, Mr. President."
Sánchez shook his head.
"It's too late."
Florentino's expression changed slightly.
"Has Beckham renewed with Manchester United?"
"No.
"He is leaving."
Sánchez gave a bitter smile.
"But he isn't joining Real Madrid."
Florentino's voice became colder.
"Then where is he going?"
"New Manchester United.
"The newly promoted Premier League club."
For Sánchez, losing Beckham to a newly promoted English side was difficult to accept.
He represented Real Madrid.
The club named FIFA's greatest of the twentieth century.
He expected Florentino to explode.
Instead, Florentino froze for only a moment.
Then he recovered.
"How much?"
"£18 million.
"Approximately €25 million.
"Paid in full, in cash.
"Manchester United have wanted the Beckham situation resolved as quickly as possible, so they accepted immediately.
"An official announcement is expected very soon."
A trace of regret appeared in Florentino's eyes.
Then he suddenly laughed.
"I should have seen it coming."
He shook his head.
"Ethan, Ethan...
"You really planned everything perfectly.
"Except I never thought you'd make yourself part of the deal."
Sánchez knew Ethan and Florentino had a good relationship.
Florentino maintained close ties with many presidents and owners around Europe.
And for a businessman like him, losing a transfer battle was irritating, but hardly enough to destroy a relationship.
"So what do we do now?" Sánchez asked.
Florentino stood.
"What can we do?
"The deal is done.
"Ethan wouldn't have made a move like this without preparing everything beforehand.
"He must already have agreements lined up with sponsors.
"He hid his intentions very well."
His expression turned serious again.
"But we still need a creative midfielder."
"We're already in contact with Porto and New Manchester United," Sánchez replied.
"We want either Deco or Juninho."
Florentino nodded.
"Go for Juninho.
"I'll speak to Ethan personally."
Then he remembered something else.
"What about Ronaldinho?
"Any movement from Barcelona?"
Sánchez shook his head.
"Nothing definitive.
"Most of the media still believe Ronaldinho will join Manchester United.
"But his brother remains in close contact with Barcelona.
"And Barcelona are also interested in Alexander Hleb.
"They rate him very highly."
Florentino smiled.
"If Ethan has taken Beckham from us, we might as well send him another gift.
"Let it be known that Real Madrid are also interested in Hleb.
"Figo is getting older.
"Sooner or later, we'll need to think about a successor."
Sánchez understood immediately.
He nodded and left.
Florentino walked back towards his desk, picked up the phone, found Ethan's number, and called him.
"Congratulations, Ethan."
Ethan sounded delighted.
"Thank you, Florentino.
"Although I probably owe you an apology."
Florentino laughed.
"It's only a £20 million transfer.
"But yes, perhaps you should thank me.
"Real Madrid have also decided to enter the race for Hleb."
"Is this revenge?"
Florentino laughed even harder.
"You've just taken advantage of a very good opportunity.
"Surely I'm allowed to recover something in return.
"Juninho to Real Madrid.
"Give me a price."
"£14 million."
"You're robbing me, Ethan."
Florentino was laughing as he said it.
In reality, the figure was within the range he had expected.
Juninho's value could not be compared directly with Beckham's.
The two players were in completely different situations.
Different ages.
Different contracts.
Different market circumstances.
Different commercial profiles.
"I just quoted Barcelona £16 million," Ethan replied.
"Cash.
"One payment.
"But for you, old friend, I'll accept £14 million over twelve months.
"I trust you."
Florentino considered it.
Porto were demanding around €25 million for Deco, approximately £17.5 million.
That was significantly more than Ethan wanted for Juninho.
And Juninho's performances in the UEFA Cup and England had arguably been even more convincing than Deco's that season.
Ultimately, players capable of controlling matches from midfield were scarce.
Scarcity meant value.
"All right," Florentino said.
"Agreed.
"I'll have my people speak with yours.
"As for Hleb, we're interested as well.
"That depends on your price."
"£12 million.
"Cash.
"No negotiation below that."
Ethan's answer was immediate.
Hleb's representatives had already informed New Manchester United that Manchester United, Barcelona, Arsenal, and several other clubs were interested.
The player himself was open to joining a traditional European giant.
Ethan had spoken with Mourinho.
New Manchester United were not short of wide players.
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Robben.
Ribéry.
Messi.
With that depth, Hleb was not completely untouchable.
Once Mourinho approved the possibility of a sale, Ethan set the price.
£12 million.
The figure discouraged several interested clubs.
But Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United, and others continued watching closely.
Hleb had been outstanding over the previous few seasons.
And during the most recent campaign, his contributions to the FA Cup and UEFA Cup triumphs had been enormous.
His importance had been comparable to that of Juninho and Kaká.
"You're becoming better and better at this business," Florentino said after thinking for a moment.
"I'll consider it."
Real Madrid did not urgently need another winger.
Florentino's immediate intention was largely strategic.
Drive up the price.
Make Barcelona or Manchester United pay more.
It was the same reason Real Madrid had inserted themselves into the Ronaldinho negotiations.
At this level, the transfer market was another form of competition.
Sometimes a club pursued a player partly because it wanted him.
Sometimes it pursued him because it did not want a rival signing him cheaply.
And if Real Madrid somehow ended up buying Hleb, he would still strengthen the squad.
Florentino eventually ended the call.
Once he was alone again, his smile faded.
In front of Sánchez and the rest of his staff, he could act unconcerned.
Privately, however, he had to admit that he had made a mistake.
He had let an excellent opportunity slip away.
Now Real Madrid were preparing to spend almost the same amount on Juninho that Beckham might once have cost them.
In effect, his own hesitation had helped Ethan.
But regret changed nothing.
Beckham was gone.
Real Madrid still needed a midfielder.
So Florentino would move on.
For a man as successful as him, making a mistake was acceptable.
Remaining trapped inside one was not.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)