The All-Around Center Forward

After AC Milan received the first offer from Real Madrid, they immediately held a high-level meeting.

Berlusconi, Galliani, and other senior executives participated.

Looking at the offer, they were truly shocked.

In transfer dealings, the first step is usually to test the waters with a low offer, so initial bids tend to be conservative.

But Real Madrid's first bid was a generous €99 million — in an era when transfer kings hovered around €40-50 million, this was like a nuclear bomb, shattering everyone's perceptions.

Even the seasoned Berlusconi was silent after seeing Madrid's offer.

"Let's all share our thoughts!" Berlusconi said.

Galliani immediately responded, "Madrid's offer is sincere. €99 million is a groundbreaking amount. This money would give us a big breather."

A senior advisor nodded, "The return on investment is very high. Milan paid just over €30 million for Suker. Now Madrid's offer is €99 million — nearly triple his value. However, I believe this is just a probing offer. They might have an even bigger budget for transfers!"

"More money?" a board member said, surprised. "Does Real Madrid really have that much?"

Another board member was silent for a moment, then said, "Madrid can take loans from banks, and their commercial operations are very successful."

Hearing this, the room fell silent.

"This first offer is already €99 million. What exactly does Madrid want to do?"

Galliani was confused.

This first bid was unusually high — it broke normal transfer patterns and left him puzzled.

Even though it was the first offer, Milan would make a huge profit if accepted.

But the question was, would Madrid increase their offer?

Berlusconi looked at Galliani.

Galliani immediately understood.

"Madrid is crazily pursuing Suker. I don't think they'll give up easily, so…" Galliani looked at the offer, grit his teeth, and said, "We wait."

Greed is human nature.

Looking at the €99 million offer, they were tempted.

If Madrid raised the offer just a bit more, the transfer would exceed €100 million!

That afternoon, Milan rejected the offer, marking Suker as 'not for sale'.

In Real Madrid's presidential office,

Florentino Pérez sat there. Although he hadn't officially been elected president yet, the situation was clear — he would be the next president, so no one stopped him.

Moreover, Florentino was effectively in charge of Madrid's decisions.

"Milan rejected the first offer, calling Suker 'not for sale'," said Madrid's sporting director Bardano, frowning.

In the meeting room, Madrid's decision-makers gathered in a circle.

Florentino sat at the head, alongside sporting director Bardano, technical director Pardesa, presidential advisor Zidane, and coach Pellegrini.

"Rejecting €99 million? Are Milan crazy?" Pellegrini was incredulous.

Every coach wanted Suker, Pellegrini included.

He wanted Suker, no doubt, but this offer was already sincere enough.

Advisor Zidane also frowned.

They couldn't understand Milan's greed.

Only Florentino remained calm, glancing at the words 'not for sale' and snorted coldly.

"There's no such thing as 'not for sale'!"

Then, Florentino loudly declared:

"Raise the offer to €100 million, and notify the media to report this offer."

Everyone was stunned.

Soon, they understood.

Florentino wasn't just a wealthy tycoon; he wanted to use this offer to boost Suker's commercial value.

One hundred million euros!

This wasn't just groundbreaking — it was disruptive.

Football had entered the €100 million transfer era.

Suker would become a benchmark figure.

Once the offer went public, Suker's commercial value would soar.

If confirmed, Madrid could build many commercial campaigns around Suker in the coming years.

Florentino, though not officially president yet, had boldly pushed a plan that could revolutionize the transfer market.

Of course, there were many uncertainties.

Florentino was taking a gamble:

Betting on Madrid's commercial power.

Betting on football's inflation.

Betting on Suker's commercial benefits.

If successful, as the club that pioneered the €100 million era, Madrid would greatly boost its influence and gain huge returns.

The next day, Real Madrid's second offer arrived quickly.

The €100 million bid blew Milan away.

At the same time, Spanish media like Marca went wild reporting:

"Real Madrid's Disruptive Offer for Croatian Star!"

"First Offer €99 Million! Second Offer €100 Million! The Financial Power of Football's Biggest Club!"

"Crazy Transfer Spending: Real Madrid Set to Revolutionize the Transfer Market!"

"Florentino's Bold Move! Real Madrid's Next Number One Star Coming?"

The whole European media exploded.

Madrid's spending of €100 million electrified football worldwide.

Previously, €70 million had already been called "godlike."

Now it was €100 million.

€99 million was still under the limit.

But now, Madrid had broken the barrier — ushering a new era.

Madrid's boldness stunned the entire football world.

Suker saw the offer immediately.

"€100 million?"

Suker's voice was full of shock.

He expected a high offer from Madrid but never imagined it would reach €100 million.

This was the beginning of "money football."

But the fire wasn't raging enough yet to destroy the market.

Football truly entered the €100 million era in 2017 with Neymar's transfer to PSG.

That crazy deal made PSG the world's focus and was the peak of money football.

Now, this €100 million offer was no less impactful than Neymar's €220 million transfer — maybe even more so.

After all, this was 2009.

Eight years ahead of Neymar's deal!

"Is Madrid really willing to spend that much?" Suker was amazed. "This probably drains an entire quarter of their transfer budget!"

"Though not absolute, top clubs do have ample funds, but once they commit, Madrid wouldn't have much left for other signings," Zoranči also said, stunned.

This was €100 million!

And a formal offer.

Is Madrid really ready to spend it?

Florentino must want Suker badly!

"Do you think Milan will reject it?" Zorančic asked.

Suker grinned, "Reject it? No way! How could they refuse?!"

Indeed!

AC Milan couldn't refuse.

This was €100 million!

Even the Milan fans who opposed Suker's transfer were shocked when they heard the offer — their views shattered.

They thought: if it's really €100 million, Suker leaving is fine — they couldn't keep him anyway.

Why stop him from chasing greater glory?

Besides, Milan could do so much with this money.

Just this amount alone could keep Milan afloat for two years.

Berlusconi and Galliani looked dizzy at the offer.

Berlusconi sighed, "Accept the offer."

Galliani nodded immediately.

€100 million!

Rejecting it would be foolish.

Just then, a staff member rushed in.

"Real Madrid's third offer."

The staff looked stunned.

"Third offer already?" Galliani was surprised.

They were about to accept the second.

Madrid was proactively raising the bid?

The staff nodded.

"€105 million!"

Boom!

Berlusconi and Galliani were shocked.

They seemed to understand now.

Madrid wanted to open the floodgates of money football and take the biggest slice of the cake.

€100 million and over €100 million are two different things!

For many years to come, this crazy offer would be hard to beat.

And Real Madrid would continue to gain massive influence!