Manchester City.
Li Mu knew about this club in the same city as Manchester United, but in his impression, Manchester City's overall strength and reputation were much worse than Manchester United.
It is even worse than Chelsea before Abramovich took over. The team's trend after 2010 was relatively impressive, but that only happened after the team completed capital replacement and was taken over by a wealthy Middle Eastern man.
Li Mu asked Davidson: "Where did Manchester City finish in the 2002-03 season?"
Davidson was fully prepared before arriving, so he blurted out: "Mr. Li, last season, Manchester City finished ninth."
Li Mu nodded: "There are 20 teams in total, and the ninth place can only be regarded as a little above average."
After that, Li Mu asked again: "What about Manchester United?"
Davidson said helplessly: "Mr. Li, Manchester United was the champion last season."
Li Mu smacked his lips and asked: "What ranking did Manchester City get in the 2001-02 season?"
Davison said with some embarrassment: "Well... Manchester City had just been promoted to the Super League in the 2001-02 season, but they were immediately relegated back to the First Division, and were only re-promoted to the Super League in 2002."
After saying that, Davidson saw that Li Mu's expression seemed a little dissatisfied, and said hurriedly: "Mr. Li, if you are not very satisfied with the Manchester City team, I can continue to help you look for it. I will have someone contact Liverpool tomorrow, or Arsenal." There's Newcastle United, let's see if they're interested."
Li Mu waved his hand and said: "No need Davidson, if Manchester City is really interested in selling, then let's talk to the capital behind Manchester City. If the price is right, I will buy it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Mu hurriedly added: "Oh, by the way, please help me tell them that I will only consider a wholly-owned acquisition."
Although the Manchester City team is not very strong, its comprehensive strength is definitely much stronger than any domestic club. As long as it is won, it can serve as a bridgehead for the overseas training and training of Chinese players. Moreover, the football team The team's previous performance was not very good, but this will make it a better start. If we really buy a defending champion like Manchester United, if we play third place next year, Manchester United's fans and the British media will definitely feel bad about themselves and the team's performance. The blame for the decline lies on myself, the Chinese boss.
Li Mu would not give these arrogant British people a chance to show off like this.
If you buy a team like Manchester City that won't slip away, spend some money to get a better coach, and introduce a group of excellent players, the team's strength will inevitably improve. Last year it was ninth, and this year it can be eighth. , fans and media will not make blind comparisons. If they can enter the top five, the atmosphere will be more relaxed.
Seeing that Li Mu decided to acquire Manchester City, Davidson nodded hurriedly and said, "Mr. Li, let me briefly introduce you to the situation of Manchester City Club."
Li Mu waved his hand and said: "Thank you Davidson, but there is no need to introduce it in too much detail. I am not interested in its current financial situation and capital structure behind the scenes, nor its current players, nor its current head coach. Even less interested, just tell me a price that I can probably get it for, and I will arrange for someone to come over and connect with them."
For Li Mu, a Premier League club can cost as little as tens of millions of pounds or as much as hundreds of millions of pounds. For such a small amount of money, there is no need to go to all the trouble to understand so much, get an approximate price, and then have someone come over to negotiate. That's it.
Davidson naturally knew what Li Mu meant. For him, a deal worth tens of millions or one or two hundred million pounds was no longer worth investing too much energy in understanding, analyzing and researching. It was like a billionaire. To buy a car, as long as he likes it, he only needs the other party to tell him a number, and then he will write a check according to the number.
So, Davidson said: "Mr. Li, Manchester City's current external offer is about 100 million pounds, but the actual transaction price should be around 65-70 million pounds."
Li Mu nodded and said, "Then I'll let someone negotiate at a price of 80 million. By the way, Davidson, you should know the people over there. Please introduce me to an interface person."
Davidson hesitated for a moment, and after about ten seconds, he said to Li Mu: "Mr. Li, some of the shareholders of Manchester City are very stubborn old British people. They are all declining but stubborn. Old-money, like money, need money, but always pretend that you are not short of money and don't care about money. If you directly send people to discuss business with these people, there are usually two possibilities. One is that the other party sees that you are Chinese. , tell you directly not to sell; the other is to know that the Chinese want to buy, and then drive up the price and take advantage of the opportunity to make a deal."
Li Mu couldn't help but frown tightly, and asked him in confusion: "Not selling to the Chinese, or selling to the Chinese at a higher price, what is the rationale for this? Is it racial discrimination?"
Davidson waved his hand hurriedly and explained: "This is not racial discrimination, but these old die-hards are too self-righteous. They look down on anyone except them. If you are richer than him, he will follow your culture, and you will follow his culture." To compare culture, he will compare family history with you. If you want to compare family history with him, he might compete with you in football. If he still can’t compete with you in football, he will compete with you in drinking capacity... "
Li Mu smiled helplessly and asked, "What about your suggestion?"
Davidson said: "My suggestion is that the Goldberg family simply negotiate the acquisition with them. We will negotiate first and determine the price. If Mr. Li has no objection, we will sign the contract with them, do the audit and complete the acquisition, and then we can Transfer the original price of this club to you, Mr. Li."
Li Mu thought about it for a while, then nodded and agreed. He didn't want to discuss business with such an old stubbornness. It would be too tiring and a waste of energy and emotion. It would be great if Davidson could do it for him.
So, Li Mu said to Davidson: "Makino Technology will pay a commission of 10% of the acquisition amount to the Goldberg family as a thank you."
Davidson smiled and said: "Mr. Li, there is no need for a commission. We are friends, and you are a distinguished guest of our Goldberg family. It would be too outrageous to charge a commission for such a small thing."
Li Mu smiled and said: "It's true that we are friends, but I also believe in a principle, that is, never ask others to help."
Davidson nodded lightly. He probably understood what Li Mu meant. He couldn't accept his voluntary help in vain, nor could he win the qualification to be the lead banker of Makino Technology's future IPO from Li Mu in vain. If Li Mu didn't use the favor, , then the next thing is really difficult to move forward.
So Davidson said no more and said to Li Mu: "Mr. Li, it's almost time. Let's go downstairs and have breakfast."
"good."
…
The Goldberg family arranged breakfast in two restaurants. The banquet hall yesterday was used to accommodate most people, and a small restaurant was arranged to accommodate important guests.
Davidson took Li Mu to a specially arranged small restaurant. There were not many people dining here, only about a dozen people. Among them, there were only four members of the Goldberg family. Most of the remaining Goldberg family members were there. The banquet room entertains other guests.
Wendy was entertaining guests at the moment. As the eldest granddaughter of the Goldberg family, she was hands-on in the restaurant. Not only did she greet every guest enthusiastically, she even took the initiative to deliver the latest newspapers and periodicals this morning.
Seeing Davidson and Li Mu coming in together, she hurried forward to greet them and said with a smile: "Grandpa, Mr. Li, good morning, what do you want to eat?"
Davidson pointed at Wendy and said to Li Mu, "Look, my beloved eldest granddaughter is more professional than a professional when she is a waiter."
Wendy smiled and said, "Grandpa, have you forgotten that I used to have a summer job at Starbucks?"
"Oh... I almost forgot." Davidson patted his head and said with a smile: "I'm still the same. I can just tell Mary directly later. You should use the professional skills you learned at Starbucks to serve Li Sir, this guest from afar."
Wendy stuck out her tongue and then said to Li Mu: "Mr. Li, the front pages of the British newspapers today are all about you!"
Li Mu smiled and asked, "Really?"
Wendy picked up a folded new newspaper, showed the first page to Li Mu, and said, "Look, this is today's Times, the front page headline."
Li Mu took a closer look and saw that the front page of The Times read in large and eye-catching words: "Twitter, another Internet miracle created by Li Mu!"
The picture accompanying the article turned out to be a photo of himself and Prince William that Li Mu posted on Twitter yesterday.
Li Mu smiled slightly and joked: "It seems that I am more photogenic than Prince William."
Wendy smiled, then approached Li Mu and whispered in his ear: "When Prince William first came, his face was red and he was very happy. He just received an important call and went outside. We talked on the phone, and before I left, I asked him to ask me to invite you to have breakfast with him when I wait for you to come. Do you think that’s okay?”
Li Mu said nonchalantly: "I can do either."
Wendy smiled and said: "Then please come with me. I'll pour you a cup of coffee first. Prince William should be back soon."
…
At this time, William was on the lawn outside the castle, excitedly talking on the phone with his father.
As of half an hour ago, William had gained five million followers on Twitter, a number that shocked the entire British royal family.
These five million fans come from all over the world, and almost all of them learned about and followed William through Li Mu’s Twitter. In the past few decades, the British royal family had not received such high attention around the world, and William not only suddenly stepped onto a new world-class stage, but also became one of the protagonists on this stage. This is of great significance to the entire royal family.
What makes the royal family even more excited is that this morning, a photo of William and Li Mu began to be used by a large number of media. Not only the British local media, but also media from other European countries are using this photo to report on Twitter's sweeping global event. As the first photo posted by Li Mu on Twitter, this photo is of great significance.
As a result, William has successfully made most of the headlines about Twitter and Li Mu, and many media have even written articles specifically for William. These media are very optimistic about William's future, for no other reason than that. Because of his young age, he has already become Li Mu’s friend. Not only did he become the photo taker in Li Mu’s first Weibo post, but he even got Li Mu’s first @. If he can continue to maintain a good relationship with Li Mu, what will happen to him? This is definitely a great thing for the future British royal family.
So, William's father personally called him early in the morning and gave him three tasks:
First, continue to enhance friendship and get closer with Li Mu at Goldberg Manor;
Second, continue to update your Twitter to show the education and temperament of the British royal family to fans around the world;
Third, invite Li Mu to visit Buckingham Palace.
(End of chapter)