"Rebirth of the Football Tycoon".

Many fans might believe that Xabi Alonso's strengths are somewhat different from those of other top midfielders like Xavi or Pirlo, but David always believed that every player has unique strengths. While some aspects of their game might be less flashy, Alonso's overall abilities were on par with the best.

David's decision to pursue Alonso wasn't just because other top playmakers had already established themselves by this time, but also because he believed Alonso's style of play would be a perfect fit for the Premier League. What set Alonso apart was not only his exceptional passing and vision but also his solid defensive capabilities, making him a more rounded player compared to other midfield maestros.

Last season, Alonso was recalled by Real Sociedad during the winter break and immediately appointed team captain by coach Tosak. He led the team to safety in La Liga, proving his leadership ability. At just 19, Alonso had already demonstrated that he was ready for a bigger challenge.

While the odds of signing Alonso seemed slim compared to other top targets, David believed there was still hope. As long as there was even the slightest chance, he wasn't ready to give up. So, he traveled to the Basque Country.

David had already requested that the club send a fax to Real Sociedad, inquiring about a €10 million transfer fee for Alonso. While Alonso's eventual transfer to Liverpool in 2004 had cost €15 million, he had already played a pivotal role in helping Real Sociedad finish second in La Liga and reach the top 16 in the Champions League.

Though Alonso was currently captain at Real Sociedad, he had not yet reached the level of fame enjoyed by other top players. After all, he had only spent half a season at the club. The €10 million offer seemed reasonable for a player of Alonso's caliber, but it would be unlikely to convince Real Sociedad to part with their captain, especially when he had the potential to become a future club legend.

During his meeting with the president of Real Sociedad, David raised his offer to €14 million, a move that successfully broke the president's resistance.

"You can negotiate personal terms with Alonso. If you succeed, congratulations on securing a top player!" said the president of Real Sociedad.

While this statement might have seemed amusing to some—since Alonso wasn't yet a household name—it was clear that David was willing to spend more because he knew the real challenge lay not in convincing the club but in persuading Alonso to make the move. The young, dignified Alonso might not be inclined to leave a promising future at Real Sociedad for a club struggling in the Premier League.

David understood that convincing Alonso would not be easy. Alonso was highly intelligent and would have a clear career plan in mind, despite being only 19 years old. So, rather than approaching Alonso directly, David decided to engage his agent, Ivanes.

"I think this is ridiculous," Ivanes said dismissively. "My player won't go to a third-tier team. He's the captain here at Real Sociedad, and he loves it. If he leaves, it will only be to one of the giants. That's where he belongs."

David patiently explained his intentions, which took Ivanes by surprise. It became clear that David wasn't just making idle promises; his offer was real.

David, accustomed to European negotiations, remained calm. "I don't think it's ridiculous. Notts County might only be a Premier League team right now, but I'm confident that in two years, we'll be competing at the top of the league."

He continued, "How much is Alonso making at Real Sociedad? €300,000? €400,000? If he comes to us, we can offer him €2 million a year, which is already on par with top players at the biggest clubs."

Ivanes, initially skeptical, was now visibly stunned. A €2 million salary was beyond what most top La Liga players earned, especially those not playing for the biggest clubs.

"This is not funny," Ivanes said, his expression turning from disbelief to frustration. "If you're just playing games, I don't have time for this."

David quickly reassured him, "This offer is serious. Real Sociedad has already agreed to the €14 million transfer fee. Why else would I be here negotiating Alonso's contract?"

At that moment, Ivanes was completely caught off guard. He quickly called the president of Real Sociedad, and his expression shifted as he processed the conversation.

After hanging up, Ivanes looked dazed but no longer dismissive. "I didn't expect any of this to be real," Ivanes said, his voice tinged with surprise.

David understood that Ivanes hadn't believed that a smaller Premier League club like Notts County could be so serious, but in the world of football, things could change rapidly.

David spoke calmly, "I didn't approach Alonso directly because discussing money with a player of his caliber doesn't feel respectful. But our offer is sincere, and you can't deny that."

"I know Alonso has his own career plans, and I'm sure you'll help him navigate those. But I don't think it's a mistake for him to consider Notts County."

Ivanes interrupted, "But you have to admit, the Premier League doesn't have the same appeal as the giants of Spain or Italy."

David waved his hand dismissively. "But it won't always be a second-tier team, will it?"

Ivanes paused, thinking for a moment, and then reluctantly nodded. After all, David was offering a €14 million transfer fee and a salary that was on par with what top Premier League clubs were paying their stars. There was little reason for Alonso to stay in La Liga if a better opportunity was on the table.

David added, "If Alonso joins Notts County, I can offer you a €1 million commission. But we need to get this done quickly—I don't want the transfer to drag on and affect my team's preparations."

Ivanes, now completely sold on the idea, could hardly refuse. The prospect of a €1 million commission, coupled with the attractive salary and transfer fee, was too good to pass up.

With the deal nearly finalized, Ivanes assured David that he would convince Alonso. The agent's demeanor, once dismissive, was now full of respect, and David regretted not offering the commission sooner—it would have made things much easier.

The next morning, David received a call from Ivanes. Alonso had agreed to transfer to Notts County.

With that, David had secured the midfield general he had long coveted.