Chapter 151: Buy Out Tom, Then Build the Team Around Him!

"Congratulations, Tom!"

Tang Ye took his match MVP trophy from the host's hands, after which a reporter asked him a question.

"How many Europa League MVPs is this for you?"

Uh...

That was a good question; Tang Ye needed a moment to think.

"The... the second one?"

"It's the third!"

The reporter smiled and reminded him: "So far in your career, you've played four Europa League matches, and you've won the MVP trophy in three of them!"

"Wow."

Tang Ye took a deep breath to steady his emotions.

He hadn't been checking the stats; he hadn't realized his performances in the Europa League would be this good.

"Tom, after completing the double over Inter Milan, Villarreal has secured early entry into the Europa League knockout stage, becoming the first team among the twelve groups to lock in a knockout berth..."

The reporter held the microphone up to Tang Ye's mouth: "There will be many teams in the knockout stage, even clubs eliminated from the Champions League. Is there any particular opponent you'd like to face?"

A particular opponent he'd like to face...

Tang Ye wore a thoughtful expression.

In truth, this wasn't a question that required any thought at all.

The draw had happened quite some time ago, and Tang Ye's memory wasn't great to begin with; right now, he didn't even know which teams were in which groups.

"No team I'm suddenly eager to meet, really."

Tang Ye's answer surprised the reporter.

Logically, a player being interviewed should express eagerness to face certain opponents at this point.

Did Tang Ye lack that eagerness?

Thinking of Tang Ye's connections with Ten Hag and PSV Eindhoven, the reporter asked: "Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven are both performing very well in the group stage and are highly likely to advance to the knockouts. Tom, would you like to face PSV Eindhoven again?"

"Well..."

Tang Ye looked troubled, recalling last season's matches between Utrecht and PSV Eindhoven.

That was a very strong team, but it shouldn't be a major problem for the Yellow Submarine.

"Sure, I think facing PSV Eindhoven in the knockouts would be acceptable."

"What about Manchester United?"

The reporter immediately asked.

"Let's skip Manchester United; they're too strong."

Tang Ye stepped back with a wry smile.

Manchester United!

That was one of the global football scene's top-tier super-clubs!

If the Yellow Submarine really met Manchester United in the knockouts, they'd probably be eliminated straight away and sent home!

"Haha, is your reluctance to face Manchester United because of Ten Hag?"

"Uh, this has nothing to do with Mr. Erik."

Tang Ye explained: "If possible, I hope we meet some easier opponents; Manchester United is too strong. If we face them, my teammates and I will be very upset, Mr. Ferran will be very upset too; we don't want to face Manchester United."

In the players' tunnel, Tang Ye and Escrivá, having both finished their interviews, met at the locker room entrance.

"Wow, another MVP trophy; congratulations."

Recalling what the reporter had just said, Tang Ye reminded Escrivá: "Mr. Ferran, this is my third trophy!"

vs Inter Milan, Tang Ye's post-match stats: pass completion rate 75% (7th in the team), big chances created 4 (first in the match), shots 4 with 2 goals (first in the match), assists 1 (first in the match), effective attacking involvement rate 100% (first in the match), physical duels 5 with 1 success (9th in the team), 2 goals and 1 assist for an overall rating of 8.3.

Villarreal News Bulletin — Europa League Round 4 concludes; the Yellow Submarine is the only team across all twelve groups to secure early qualification for the knockout stage.

Diario Sport front-page headline — Three MVP awards in a row, unstoppable; Tom's European performances could affect the year-end Golden Boy rankings.

The team bus took less than twenty minutes to ferry the players from the stadium to the training base.

Elated at having qualified early, Escrivá dismissed the squad on the spot.

"Tom, going to the bar?"

Bruno called out; Tang Ye was tempted, but ultimately declined.

Having just obtained his long-coveted money jar, Tang Ye couldn't wait to study this thing thoroughly!

"Just go play your games!"

Musacchio gave Tang Ye's butt a slap, and Bruno walked over: "If you don't want to go, that's fine. Are you in a rush to get back and play games with Osman, haha!"

"I haven't been playing much lately."

Tang Ye explained, though his teammates certainly wouldn't believe him.

One car after another pulled out of the Yellow Submarine's training base, while Tang Ye rode his bicycle back to his residence.

"Ding!"

The moment he got home, Tang Ye's phone rang; unsurprisingly, it was a message from Dembélé.

【You played incredibly well today!】

That was the first line, but beneath Dembélé's avatar there was still an ellipsis; his second sentence hadn't been typed yet.

【What are we playing tonight?】

Tang Ye parked his bicycle in his room, tossed his backpack onto the floor, and then replied to Dembélé's message.

【Give me half an hour; I'm going to take a shower.】

【Alright, I'll start a round first.】

"..."

Fine, Dembélé's gaming addiction was indeed even more exaggerated than Tang Ye's; putting down his phone and sitting at the computer desk, Tang Ye focused his attention on the system.

【Treasure Vault: After you complete a mission and obtain a chest, you can temporarily choose not to open it. Instead, by completing more difficult missions, you can upgrade the chest to the next level.】

【Chests currently eligible for the Treasure Vault: Random Club Advanced Chest.】

【Do you wish to place the "Random Club Advanced Chest" into the Treasure Vault?】

Upgrade the chest to the next level by completing more difficult missions!

【Random Club Advanced Chest Investment Mission: Win one La Liga match.】

【Mission Reward: Chest quality upgraded from Advanced → Superstar.】

"..."

Tang Ye suddenly fell silent.

Win one La Liga match?

Is this what they call a "more difficult mission"?

Isn't this... a bit too difficult?

Damn it!

Tang Ye was now extremely excited.

Just as he had anticipated, this Treasure Vault was indeed a divine artifact!

Checking the schedule, Yellow Submarine's next league match was less than five days away.

Tang Ye would directly complete the chest upgrade mission in that very match!

The Europa League knockout stage was still a few months away.

By then, besides facing strong Europa League teams, Yellow Submarine might also encounter giants dropping down from the Champions League.

Time was pressing; he must use the template chest to properly boost his strength!

According to a preview report in La Stampa, the announcement of the Golden Boy award list was imminent.

The matter of buying out Tang Ye directly from Utrecht concerned Yellow Submarine's upcoming tactics, so Escrivá arranged a meeting with President Fernando Roig.

"Ferran, after the stadium renaming, we should receive a decent sum of income, so I've contacted the boss. He's willing to let us spend 40 million euros to buy Tom. Of course, if we can negotiate the price lower, that would be even better; I'll try to make it happen."

Roig leaned back on the sofa; communication with city government officials over the past few weeks had left him somewhat exhausted.

"I feel things aren't that simple."

Escrivá's expression was serious.

There was a reason he had invited Roig to his home today.

"What's wrong?"

Facing President Roig's confusion, Escrivá began to explain.

Recently, the team's tactics had gradually shifted toward relying on Tang Ye, causing his performance in matches to become increasingly godlike.

"What if Utrecht demands more than 40 million euros for him when the time comes?"

Escrivá raised a question that Roig had never even considered.

A 17-year-old player.

A transfer fee greater than 40 million euros?

"No, no, no, that's impossible."

Roig immediately rejected Escrivá's notion: "Forty million euros can buy any 17-year-old player. Tom is Tom; he is not Messi. Ferran, you must be clear: without Ten Hag, Utrecht is merely a mid-table Eredivisie team. They are not as wealthy as you imagine. This is 40 million! Forty million euros!"

"..."

Actually, what Roig said made sense, yet Escrivá felt an inexplicable sense of tension.

"My concern is, if Utrecht knows we must secure Tom and then skyrockets the price, what do we do?"

"This..."

Roig remained silent for a moment: "Ferran, the difference between 50 million euros and 40 million euros is far greater than you imagine. With that extra 10 million, we could buy many young talents from South America and Africa."

Hearing Roig's words, Escrivá sighed.

He roughly understood the meaning behind Roig's statement.

If the price reached 50 million euros, or even exceeded 50 million, Villarreal would have to be cautious in their consideration.

Ahem! Ahem!

Clearing his throat twice, Escrivá slowly began to speak: "Mr. Fernando, listen to me; our team's current situation is extremely complicated."

!

"Do you know that feeling? I didn't intentionally build the team around Tom, yet he is gradually becoming the core... our forwards have already developed a dependency on him."

Bakambu's transition from a pure winger to a poacher-type striker, Musacchio's through-balls directly finding Tang Ye, Rodri covering positions for Tang Ye... these were all tactical reactions from the team as Tang Ye gradually transformed into the core.

Villarreal had embarked on a path of no return!

They must buy Tang Ye!

To make his words more convincing, Escrivá took out his phone, and soon a barrage of news headlines popped up.

Villarreal News Front Page Headline: 4 Europa League Matches, 3 MVPs—Why Didn't Escrivá Include a Buyout Clause in the Loan Contract Initially?

Marca Front Page Secondary Headline: Performance Far Superior to Rashford—Is Yellow Submarine Training Players for Utrecht for Free?

AS Front Page Secondary Headline: A Transitional Midfielder Becomes the Team Core—What Problems Will Villarreal Face Next Season?

"..."

Quickly swiping away all these news items with his thumb, Escrivá knew these were not things he needed to look at right now.

He needed to pull up Tang Ye's stats!

Tang Ye was a typical highlight-reel player, and players of this type usually had astonishing statistical reports.

Escrivá could use these stats to persuade Roig!

Opening the BT Sport website, Escrivá selected "Europa League," then chose "Player Rankings."

The Europa League assist leaderboard.

1. Tang Ye (Villarreal), 4 times

2. Marlos (Shakhtar Donetsk), 2 times

2. Ye He (Ajax), 2 times

4. Rooney (Manchester United), 2 times

First on the assist leaderboard!

Number one on the Europa League assist leaderboard!

This stat alone already explained a lot.

But Escrivá needed to find more data, some stats favorable to Tang Ye.

He needed to convince the chairman to put up more money for this transfer!

"Fouls suffered," "tackles," "penalties"...

None of these stats existed for Tang Ye; after scanning around, Escrivá finally focused his attention on the top scorers list right above the assist leaderboard.

He remembered this guy often posing as a forward during matches.

Hope his goal-scoring stats are a bit better...

The Europa League top scorers list.

1. Tang Ye (Villarreal), 5 times

2. Mkhitaryan (Manchester United), 3 times

3. Ibrahimović (Manchester United), 3 times

3. Džeko (Roma), 3 times.

"..."

What the hell?

First on the scorers list; although a bit surprising, considering Tang Ye's bizarre off-the-ball movement, this was actually understandable.

The problem was:

Aren't you a midfielder? Why are your goals damn near more than your assists!

Forget it, forget it!

That wasn't the issue to worry about right now!

"Mr. Fernando,"

Escrivá displayed his phone screen before Roig: "First on the scorers list, first on the assists list; isn't a player like this worth spending more money on?"

"..."

Roig said nothing, so Escrivá turned the phone back and, right in front of Roig, opened the "Key Passes" leaderboard.

Escrivá didn't even need to look; he knew Tang Ye was absolutely number one on this list.

1. Tang Ye (Villarreal), 18 times.

2. Ye He (Ajax), 10 times.

3. Ibrahimović (Manchester United), 8 times.

Uh...

Escrivá rubbed his nose.

This kid is quite impressive; he's fiercer than the second and third place combined!

After seeing the scorers and assists lists, Roig hadn't said much, but upon viewing this key passes leaderboard, Roig's expression finally changed.

Seizing the opportunity, Escrivá said: "Mr. Fernando, just think: a 17-year-old genius player; if we sign him to a six-to-eight-year contract and build the team directly around him, not only will this season's problems be solved, but the tactical issues for the following seasons can be resolved as well."

"By next summer, we buy some excellent full-backs; combined with the squad we already have, next season we won't be playing in the Europa League knockout stage anymore!"

"Then what will it be?" Roig shifted his gaze from the phone, staring straight at Escrivá.

"The Champions League knockout stage!"

Escrivá spoke slowly, word by word.

!!!

"Hiss..."

Taking a deep breath, Roig continued asking: "I don't need guarantees for next season; I need guarantees for this season. If we buy out Tom, what kind of results can we achieve in this season's Europa League and La Liga?"

This...

Escrivá leaned his upper body back slightly.

What kind of results could they achieve in the Europa League and La Liga...

Honestly, as a coach, Escrivá currently didn't have a very comprehensive understanding of the team's strength; he truly couldn't answer this question.

But the words were already out there.

However, to complete Tang Ye's buyout, he could only blow some hot air for now.

Anyway, if the targets weren't met later, he could just apologize then.

"For the Europa League, I think we can reach the semi-finals. For the league, hmm..."

Escrivá held up three fingers, his tone firm: "Top three!"

"Then there's no problem."

Roig stood up from the sofa: "I will discuss this matter with the board and Owen. A price within 50 million euros is acceptable to us, but if it exceeds 50 million euros, I can do nothing. However, I still maintain my view that we can complete Tom's buyout for a price around 35 million euros."

"Once the Golden Boy list is announced and Tom is left off, Utrecht's expectations for him will drop; that is when we will make our move."

Roig walked toward the door, then turned halfway to glance at Escrivá, who was sitting on the sofa: "I still believe you are wrong. A price of 35 million euros for a 17-year-old player is already outrageous. Of course, if Utrecht really demands 50 million euros, I will push this transfer through."

"Ferran, remember your promise!"

Roig pushed the door open and left, while Escrivá slowly lay back on the sofa.

Gazing at the living room ceiling, a smile played across Escrivá's face.

Once Tang Ye completely transferred and joined Yellow Submarine, Escrivá would directly build an entirely new tactical system around him as the core.

Possession-based play combined with a variant form of counter-attack defense!

No team in the entire La Liga uses this tactic!

Although he couldn't quite grasp his team's current strength, Escrivá could see the team's future.

Soon!

Soon he would have Tang Ye firmly grasped in his hands!

That was Villarreal's future!

It was Villarreal's hope!

Valencia's Yellow Submarine would thereby sail toward success!

Direct buyout!

……

The front-page headline of Tuttosport, in bold full-font type: Villarreal's loaned midfielder Tang Ye wins the 2016 European Golden Boy (Golden Boy 2016).

PS: Brothers, please double your monthly tickets!

(End of Chapter)