Soccer: I became Bruno Fernandes.

Chapter 236: Real Madrid Takes Action

"According to my sources, there's internal unrest at Barcelona. There's even talk of them considering moving Messi out. Look at how they've treated Ronaldinho, Cruyff, Maradona, and Rivaldo. What about you?" Mendes's words hit a nerve with Bruno.

As a time traveler, Bruno knew that Barcelona eventually did try to move Messi out; it wasn't just a rumor. In Barcelona, it's almost impossible for a player to have a graceful end to their career. This issue isn't unique to Barcelona; it's similar at Real Madrid. Both of these top clubs are notorious for not treating their veteran players well. This lack of sentimentality has left a mark on both clubs in the eyes of many.

When players age, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to maintain their place at such top-tier clubs. Hence, cleaning out old players is not uncommon for these clubs, although most handle it more gently. Bruno had never seriously considered ending his career at Barcelona or even transferring there, despite it being one of the top clubs in recent football history. He didn't like Barcelona, partly because of its strong regionalism, which clashed with his unified cultural upbringing.

"That's only part of the issue. If you do go to Barcelona, how will you fit with the MSN (Messi, Suárez, Neymar)? Who will be the team's attacking core?"

This was the real problem. The attacking core of a team isn't just a simple matter but involves a significant allocation of resources within the club. At Udinese, Bruno wasn't just the playmaker but also had the freedom to shoot, with the team supporting him to ensure he played in the best possible environment because he was their star.

Barcelona already had Messi, Neymar, and Suárez, who were rumored to have conflicts over ball possession. Adding Bruno to this mix would only complicate matters. Some things can only go to one person; if Bruno got them, Messi wouldn't, and vice versa. The question was whether Barcelona would favor their homegrown star Messi or the expensive new recruit, Bruno.

This was a crucial issue. If Bruno transferred to Barcelona and was then expected to play second fiddle to Messi, should he comply or resist? Additionally, awards like the Ballon d'Or typically have only one club nominee. Would Barcelona push for Messi or Bruno?

A year or two ago, the Ballon d'Or seemed out of Bruno's reach. Now, with his talent and confidence, he was a strong contender. This issue troubled not only the club but also Mendes, who had to balance between his clients. Previously, Mendes could focus all his resources on Ronaldo. Now, with Bruno rising rapidly, he had to consider both players' chances for the award.

As June began, with the summer transfer window approaching in ten days, the European football transfer market was already buzzing with activity. The biggest news was Barcelona's formal offer of 100 million euros for Bruno Fernandes, which Udinese promptly rejected. But this didn't deter Barcelona.

Having missed the Champions League final for four consecutive years, Barcelona was desperate for their fifth Champions League title and needed a strong midfield commander. Bruno, the hottest midfielder in football, had proven his worth in Serie A over the past two years.

Udinese, known for their shrewd player trading, saw Bruno as a valuable asset. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Barcelona president Bartomeu sent a trusted aide to Udine for negotiations, hinting at a potential record-breaking transfer that would shake the European market.

Perhaps spurred by Barcelona's moves, Real Madrid also began taking steps. After a trophy-less 2014-2015 season, Real Madrid fans were disgruntled, and club president Florentino Pérez was displeased. Pérez had wanted to sign Bruno after the European Super Cup last summer, but Udinese declined.

After witnessing Bruno score four times against Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage, Pérez's desire to bring him to Madrid intensified. Despite Real Madrid's star-studded midfield, including Modrić, Kroos, and James Rodríguez, with backups like Khedira, Isco, and Illarramendi, Pérez was undeterred.

When Mendes arrived at Bruno's villa by Lake Geneva, he looked serious. "Real Madrid has offered 110 million euros to Udinese."

"Did Udinese agree?" Bruno asked, wiping sweat off his face.

Mendes shook his head. "No, they haven't budged. Negotiations are still ongoing."

"Why? Isn't my release clause with Udinese only 100 million euros?" Bruno frowned.

His release clause, effective from 2017, was 100 million euros, and the current offer of 110 million euros exceeded the record transfer fee set by Bale's move to Real Madrid. "Your market value is already 90 million euros on the German transfer market. Do you think Udinese will settle for this offer?"

For young talents like Bruno, transfer fees often far exceed their market value. Bruno's contract with Udinese included a 100 million euro release clause, but it only became effective in 2017. Until then, the clause had no real significance, making Udinese unwilling to accept Barcelona's or Real Madrid's offers.

For Udinese, Bruno was a genuine cash cow. The 2014-2015 season brought not just glory but significant financial rewards. Winning the Champions League earned Udinese 36.4 million euros in prize money alone, with total revenue exceeding 60 million euros. The Serie A title added over 20 million euros, and match-day revenue from a sold-out Friuli Stadium brought in over 30 million euros.

In addition, jersey sales and commercial sponsorships contributed over 30 million euros. The biggest income source was TV broadcast revenue, where Udinese earned more than any other Serie A team, with over 70 million euros from the 2014-2015 season.

Overall, Udinese's total revenue for the 2014-2015 season was estimated at 190 million euros.

(End of Chapter)

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