Football singularity-Chapter 629 Contract Talks

Please vote to show me your support for the story. The higher we climb in the rankings, the more motivated I will feel. Mass releases will be rewarded for each 10 rankings we manage to climb.

Join Discord to connect with me and share your thoughts on the story so far. https://discord.gg/hTQJtj2K9U

#More than 10 Chapters ahead on my Patreon: patreon.com/TrikoRex 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

{!!!Please leave a review; it helps me a lot and lets me know how many people are invested in the future of this novel!!!}

~~~

[10/09/2020, 10:30, Leverkusen HQ]

The conference room on the third floor of the BayArena administrative building was modest by football standards, no ostentatious displays of wealth, just clean lines, functional furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the training pitches below. A large oval table dominated the space, its polished surface reflecting the September morning light that streamed through the glass.

Lisa Rex sat on one side of the table, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp. She’d dressed professionally for the occasion, a tailored navy blazer, crisp white blouse, and minimal jewellery. Her leather portfolio sat closed in front of her, a recording device visible at its edge.

Something she’d learned to use when negotiating deals for her son, everything needed to be documented. People in these circles were unhinged, wanting to attach themselves to the image or even use it in other ways. But the moment they knew the meeting was being recorded, they behaved like church mice.

Across from her sat Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s Managing Director and former club captain. At forty, he still carried himself with the athletic bearing of his playing days, though the sharp suits had replaced the kit. Next to him was Dr Ferdinand Keller, the club’s contract lawyer, a friendly man in his late fifties who ran his own law firm, but due to being a huge fan, he handled most of the club’s contract needs personally. He wore wire-rimmed glasses and a meticulous navy suit, as evidenced by how he’d arranged his documents in perfect parallel lines.

"Mrs Rex, thank you for coming in today," Rolfes began, his German accent still present despite his excellent English. "Can we get you anything? Coffee? Water?"

"I’m fine, thank you," Lisa replied with a polite smile. "Shall we get started?"

Rolfes nodded, glancing at Dr Keller, who opened the folder in front of him. "As you know," Rolfes continued, "Rakim’s current contract expires at the end of the 2020/21 season. That puts us in a delicate position. We could allow him to enter the final year and risk losing him on a free transfer, or we could look at options that benefit both parties."

Lisa said nothing, simply listening. This had been a concern for both parties as neither wanted to leave for free or be transferred in the middle of the season. Dr Keller slid a document across the table. "What we’re proposing is a one-year extension that would take Rakim’s contract through to June 2022. This gives us two potential transfer windows, January 2021 and summer 2021, where we can negotiate a proper fee rather than losing him for nothing."

"And in return?" Lisa asked, picking up the document but not opening it yet. "Despite her son wanting to see the next season through to the end, she wouldn’t readily agree without getting the needed assurances and, of course, benefits.

"In return," Rolfes said, leaning forward slightly, "we’re prepared to make Rakim one of the highest-paid players at this club. We are also going to focus more on him both on and off the field, making him the absolute core of the team next season, as it would be equally beneficial to both of us."

Lisa opened the document now and quickly scanned the numbers. Her expression remained neutral, but internally, she was calculating. The base salary offered was €65,000 per week, substantial for a player who’d just turned seventeen in his sophomore year on the professional stage.

"Charles Aránguiz earns €72,692 per week," Lisa said calmly, looking up from the document. "This offer shows €65,000. That’s not the second-highest earner. That’s not even close considering I’m hearing that Bellarabi is set to earn over 90,000 a week following his contract extension."

Dr Keller cleared his throat. "The €65,000 is the base salary. With performance bonuses—goals, assists, appearances, team achievements—the package can reach €72,000 per week, matching Aránguiz."

"Can reach," Lisa emphasised. "Meaning it’s conditional. Meaning if Rakim replicates or exceeds his performance from last season, he might earn what you’re calling second-highest. But if he gets injured, or if the team underperforms, he earns significantly less."

Rolfes shifted slightly in his seat. "Mrs Rex, we believe this is a fair offer considering Rakim’s age and—"

"Let me stop you there," Lisa interrupted gently but firmly. "We’re not here to discuss whether Rakim deserves to be compensated appropriately. Last season, at sixteen years old, he scored twenty-seven goals and provided eighteen assists across all competitions. He was instrumental in your DFB-Pokal victory and your Champions League run. Those aren’t projections or potential—those are facts."

She slid the document back across the table. "So let’s be clear about what we’re actually discussing. You want Rakim to sign a one-year extension so you can sell him for a proper fee rather than lose him on a free transfer. That’s a business decision that benefits Leverkusen more than Rakim, so make it make sense to me. If we’re going to agree to that, the compensation needs to reflect the value we’re providing you."

The room fell silent for a moment. Dr Keller made a note on his legal pad. Rolfes studied Lisa carefully, reassessing. "What are you proposing?" he asked finally.

Lisa opened her portfolio and pulled out her own document—she’d come prepared. "Base salary of €75,000 per week guaranteed," she said, sliding it across the table. "That’s genuinely the second-highest at the club and reflects Rakim’s actual value to the team. Performance bonuses on top of that, €5,000 per goal, €3,000 per assist, €10,000 per win in European competition. A release clause of €100 million that activates after the winter transfer window in 2021."

Dr Keller’s pen stopped mid-note. Rolfes sat back in his chair, arms crossed, processing what he’d just heard. The release clause was the kicker for them; €100 million was astronomical for a player who hadn’t even turned eighteen yet.

"That’s... ambitious," Rolfes said carefully, choosing his words. "Mrs Rex, I understand you’re advocating for your son, but a release clause of that magnitude—"

"Isn’t that exactly what you guys wanted, right?" Lisa finished. "But if you prefer to stick with the original €70 million agreed upon in the previous agreement, we are more than open to accepting that."

Rolfes leaned forward again, his brain running through various scenarios. "What if we counter with €70,000 base salary and a €120 million release clause that only activates in summer 2021? That gives us the full season with him and maintains our negotiating position if multiple clubs come calling."

Lisa shook her head. "You’re still trying to have your cake and eat it too, Simon. Let me be direct: Rakim has already had approaches from clubs. All of them are prepared to wait until next summer, when his contract expires and sign him on a free transfer. They’ll pay him massive wages and signing bonuses because they won’t have paid a transfer fee."

She let that sink in before continuing. "By signing this extension, we are actually doing you a favour. He’s allowing you to receive a transfer fee when he leaves. So the question isn’t whether €75,000 per week is too much, the question is whether you want to receive €80-100 million next summer or receive nothing and watch him leave for free."

The room fell silent again. Dr Keller adjusted his glasses and looked at Rolfes, who was staring out the window at the training pitches below, where the youth squads were in the middle of their summer camps. "Can we have a moment?" Rolfes asked finally.

"Of course," Lisa replied, standing. "I’ll be just outside."

She picked up her portfolio and recording device, stepping out into the corridor. The door clicked shut behind her, and she took a deep breath. Negotiating for her son was always stressful, even when she maintained her calm exterior. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Rakim: In a break. Going as expected.

.

.

.

.

To Be Continued...