Chapter 907: The 2021 Summer Transfer Window (III)
In truth, Bruno was not entirely against selling Kylian Mbappé.
Yes, Mbappé's talent was undeniable. Having played alongside him for four years, Bruno knew all too well how mesmerizing the Frenchman could be on the pitch.
However, Bruno also understood how difficult it would be for Manchester United to keep him forever.
This was a player with immense ambition.
At the moment, Mbappé was still young and developing, so Bruno could maintain his authority within the team and keep everyone united.
But as Kylian's power and influence grew, he would inevitably start yearning for more — recognition, leadership, and eventually the title of team superstar.
On that point, Bruno would never yield. Conflict between them would be inevitable, and ultimately, one of them would have to leave.
Given Bruno's unique position at Manchester United — far beyond that of any ordinary player — there was little doubt which of them that would be.
Mbappé, sooner or later, was destined to go.
Bruno also remembered that Mbappé had always dreamed of playing for Real Madrid, his childhood "Royal Dream."
Of course, since Bruno's time travel ended in the summer of 2023, he had no knowledge of the future — in which Mbappé would join Real Madrid for free.
Had he known, he would have never refused the current transfer outright.
...
United's success in recent years had forged its status as the number one club in world football — a team every player dreamed of joining.
In such an environment, Mbappé had never expressed any desire to leave or seek a new challenge.
After all, for a player barely past twenty, to play for the greatest club of his era and hold a regular starting role was something most could only envy.
Of course, Bruno's dominance made everyone take a step back — even England's top forward, Harry Kane, willingly played second fiddle under him. Mbappé, for now, dared not challenge that pecking order.
But as he matured, Mbappé's ambitions would only intensify — higher wages, the top position in the squad, and the ultimate individual honors: the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
At Manchester United, those ambitions were nearly impossible to achieve in the short term.
Bruno was only 27, with at least three to four years of peak form ahead of him.
With discipline surpassing even Cristiano Ronaldo's and an incredible resistance to injury, Bruno could easily maintain world-class form until 36 or 37.
As an attacking midfielder, his position relied less on physical traits like explosiveness and more on intelligence, experience, and vision — advantages that age could even enhance.
In that case, Mbappé's rise within United would remain forever restricted.
Leaving to lead a team of his own would become a natural next step.
In recent seasons, United's dominance in both England and Europe had been absolute. Moving elsewhere might mean fewer trophies, but it offered a chance to escape Bruno's shadow — to compete as his equal rather than his subordinate.
Every player would have to decide what mattered more.
...
After obtaining Bruno's input, Manchester United and Real Madrid officially opened talks over the future of Kylian Mbappé.
United: Mbappé is not for sale. We're not selling.
Real Madrid: Come on, buddy. €200 million. Our best offer — take it or leave it.
United: It's not about money.
Real Madrid: €210 million.
United: Brother, it's not about the money. We may be a small club, but we've still got our dignity. We're not—
Real Madrid: Fine, goodbye then.
United: …
Two days passed with total silence from Madrid. United's general manager Cristiano Giaretta, though suspecting a tactic, went to consult Mourinho.
Mourinho: Stay calm. Don't panic.
Giaretta: But they haven't countered in days…
Mourinho: That's fine. We don't have to sell the French kid. A great player is never short of buyers, and if we keep him, that's still a win.
Giaretta: You're probably right…
...
On August 7, 2021, English time, the curtain officially rose on the new season with the 19th FA Community Shield at the New Wembley Stadium.
Last season's Premier League and FA Cup champions, Manchester United, faced runners-up Manchester City.
Originally known as the Charity Shield, the competition was founded in 1908, succeeding the 1898 Sheriff of London Charity Shield. Initially played at the end of each season, its scheduling shifted over time to early August.
In 2002, the British government's audit found mismanagement of the charitable funds, leading to a rebranding in 2003 as the "Community Shield." This year marked the 19th edition under that name.
As the most successful team in English football — both in the Premier League and domestic cups — United had appeared in and won the Shield more than anyone else.
Since lifting the inaugural trophy in 1908, the Red Devils had claimed 14 Charity Shields and 11 Community Shields before this year.
Unlike other trophies, this competition awarded a shield instead of a cup — hence the name.
Both sides had multiple players returning late from Euro and Copa América duty, affecting their pre-season rhythm. Given the match's exhibition nature, neither team approached it with full intensity.
After a dull contest, United triumphed thanks to a stunning direct free-kick from Bruno Fernandes, securing a 1–0 victory and their 26th Shield in club history.
...
That victory marked the true beginning of the 2021–2022 Premier League season.
On that very same day, Real Madrid resumed negotiations after going quiet for several days.
Their new bid for Kylian Mbappé: €225 million — a €15 million increase over their previous offer and officially surpassing Neymar's 2017 world record of €222 million from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.
This time, United dropped the polite refusals about "not selling for money."
Their response was direct: "Brother, the price is still too low."
Then Real Madrid vanished again.
"Don't worry, let them wait," Giaretta said confidently. After several rounds of back-and-forth, he was convinced Madrid's interest was serious. There was no fear of losing this golden deal.
And as Bruno and Mourinho both had pointed out, Manchester United weren't desperate to sell either.
They could afford to wait.
...
But just as Real Madrid paused their pursuit to play the waiting game, world football was shaken by an even bigger shock: Barcelona's talisman, the Argentine Yossi, announced his departure — joining Paris Saint‑Germain on a free transfer!
In fact, Yossi's transfer was already one of the most closely watched events in recent football history.
Back on August 5, Barcelona had officially declared that they would not renew his contract.
The club had lost €487 million in the 2020–2021 season, plunging into severe debt.
Due to La Liga's Financial Fair Play wage restrictions, the club was unable to register Yossi, even if he agreed to a massive pay cut.
In 2017, Barcelona had signed Yossi's final contract — a deal worth a staggering €550 million over four years, averaging €137 million per season. His annual salary alone exceeded the combined wages of five other starters.
The agreement included not only salary and image rights but also renewal bonuses and loyalty payments.
In detail, Yossi's fixed salary was around €61.3 million per year, image rights worth another €10.8 million, totaling roughly €72 million annually. Additionally, there were €115 million in renewal bonuses and €78 million in loyalty bonuses.
While the contract made Yossi the world's highest-paid player — reclaiming football's financial throne — it also crushed Barcelona under unsustainable financial weight.
The club had spent huge sums on big-name signings in recent years — Luis Suárez, Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay — most of which failed to deliver, further aggravating their crisis.
Under La Liga's financial regulations, clubs must set salary caps linked to revenue. Even if Yossi halved his wages, Barcelona's payroll would still absorb 110% of their income — far above the allowable 70%.
At a press conference, President Joan Laporta declared that "the club comes before everyone — even the greatest player in the world."
On August 8, Yossi himself gave a tearful farewell at Camp Nou.
Shortly afterward, he officially signed with Paris Saint‑Germain, bringing this dramatic saga to an end.
However, his transfer left his close friend Sergio Agüero in an awkward position.
The former Manchester City striker had rejected a contract renewal with City and joined Barcelona as a free agent, hoping to reunite with Yossi — only for his friend to leave days later.
A cruel twist of fate — Agüero's dream reunion evaporated before it began.
Perhaps, at that moment, he really was crying alone in the locker room.
(END CHAPTER)
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