Chapter 54
Chapter 54
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Club World Cup Mercenary (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2029 Summer Transfer Window.
Re-sign with Manchester United, or transfer to Real Madrid?
The biggest story captivating the soccer world lately was all about Ban Yeager's next destination.
Though he'd received love calls from countless clubs, Real Madrid—the world's top club—was making the most enticing offer of all.
Manchester United fans worried if he might really leave for Real Madrid after just half a season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid supporters dreamed of snagging the core of the new Galacticos quintet and dominating La Liga once more.
In the end, the ones smiling were the Manchester United fans.
Ban Yeager had secured an jaw-dropping eightfold wage increase.
Manchester United's offer came to 160,000 pounds per week—around 300 million won in Korean currency.
Surprisingly, this put him level with Harry Maguire as the club's highest earner.
Of course, the other players' wages had been slashed across the board during relegation.
They'd get raises as the team climbed back to the Premier League, but even factoring that in, offering such a staggering sum to a freshly debuted 13-year-old (born in 2016? Wait, contextually 13-year pro?) was undeniable.
An investment in the star who saved the club from crisis and represented its future.
Manchester United had proven their complete trust in Ban Yeager.
Not just on the pitch in the Premier League, but off it too.
Even after a stint at Real Madrid, he'd show unwavering loyalty to the club.
Honestly, the 2025 CWC was a total flop compared to the investment lol...
Late May, when virtually all European soccer leagues wrap up.
Normally, fans enjoy a break until August—savoring transfer rumors and preseason tours.
But in 2029, there was another event everyone awaited come June.
The FIFA Club World Cup.
Revamped in 2025 and hosted in the US, aiming to rival the UEFA Champions League in prestige.
Despite astronomical investments, the 2025 edition was coldly deemed a failure.
FIFA didn't give up. For 2029, they rolled out massive changes.
Key one: shortening the cycle to every two years.
This was actually pushed by big clubs craving the huge winner's prize.
With the biennial schedule locked in, FIFA fully embraced the Club World Cup special transfer window.
Players from non-participating clubs short-term loan to CWC teams, with the borrowing club paying a fee to the original.
And the team hunting loan talent most aggressively? Real Madrid, eyeing world supremacy again.
Numerous players hit the market as summer transfers heated up, grabbing headlines.
Manchester United, freshly promoted, negotiated with clubs to bolster their Premier League squad. Big signing links popped up too.
Owner Sheikh Jassim, Qatari capital backing.
Relegation's wage cuts turned into a boon for normalization.
Still the world's most popular club, fans eagerly yet anxiously awaited moves.
Dark past: 300k to Marcus Rashford, 250k to Mason Mount, 200k to Antony.
No repeats.
Smart signings at fair prices.
And properly reward ace Ban Yeager to keep him forever.
United fans prayed for a perfect window.
Articles slapping United fans—dreaming of reinforcements, not losses—hit like backhands.
Clicked thinking "3-year deal, no way Real" but legit Real move? Nearly shit bricks;;
Never imagined Ban Yeager CWC loan lol
One-month loan but still, Korean in Real Madrid squad gg.
Ban's proven vs EPL powerhouses, but Real for CWC? Should grab vets. He's prospect tier tbh.
Loan fee must be insane; injury risk in preseason yet...
No injuries and trophy? Influence GOAT.
For loving United fans, the deal felt bittersweet and anxious.
But objectively, digging into details, it was pure gain for both club and Ban.
With Real Madrid footing the bill, family in tow to Madrid, Spain.
To play mid-June Club World Cup, two days jet lag adjustment then straight to training.
"Ban Yeager, on loan from Manchester United. Nice to meet you."
Clap clap clap clap clap—
Not an overwhelming welcome, understandably.
Player leaves post-CWC, implies board needs outsiders for success.
Still, way better than rookie days stepping into United's training ground.
"Nice to meet you."
"Looking forward to it."
At least eye contact, handshakes all around.
Mbappe, Vinicius, Valverde—Real's core, top-five worldwide.
I'm one, replacing injured Jude Bellingham in squad.
Attacking midfielder here too, syncing with forwards.
Current starters: Vinicius, Mbappe, Franco Mastantuono.
But closest this month? The Brazilian overshadowed by Vinicius: Rodrygo.
Squeeze—
"Wanna head home together later?"