Chapter 385: Arsenal

Stanford Bridge.

Abramovich listened to the assistant's report and sighed, "In the past four years Chelsea earned 1.5 billion pounds? Not counting the 400 million from player sales? Buying players cost less than 200 million? The club's market value also reached 2.3 billion?"

Buying a club to play with for over a decade... and still made money?

This feeling is like: an overseas tycoon at the turn of the century buying a few properties in London... keeping a mistress.

Thanks to the "Blue Planet" youth training program, plus Abramovich earlier covering debts out of pocket, Chelsea's debt situation is zero.

Europe only has three major clubs with zero debt; the other two are Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

Ms. Skaya added, "Many clubs are interested in Matic and Diego Costa; if Conte agrees to let them both leave, the club's summer window income will exceed 100 million pounds..."

"With his agreement? Impossible, can't even win the Premier League title, still have the nerve to stay as Chelsea's head coach? Pay Conte's liquidated damages and let him get lost after the season."

Abramovich has very low tolerance for head coaches.

Over the years he's gone through nine head coaches; only Mourinho and Ancelotti have lasted a full season.

The ending for all of them was being fired.

Ms. Skaya nodded and said, "Regarding Li's transfer competition, the potential opponent worth noting is Paris Saint-Germain; the Qatar Investment Group is preparing to use capital injections to pass Financial Fair Play review, and their summer transfer budget this year could very well reach 500 million euros."

"Li can become the 2022 Qatar World Cup image ambassador in advance; Paris Saint-Germain can bypass UEFA supervision and pay Li's extra salary through other means."

"Even if they violate Financial Fair Play like in 2014, the cost is only fines and a nominal salary cut."

This era's Financial Fair Play is interesting: big clubs that spend like dirt violate the rules, pay fines and move on; mid‑lower table clubs that grit their teeth and spend tens of millions on players will face a series of bans and heavy penalties.

In the 16/17 season, twelve clubs across Europe violated Financial Fair Play, and UEFA happily collected huge fines.

Abramovich waved his hand, not letting Ms. Skaya continue.

"Buying a player is such a hassle? Isn't it just paying fines? Li could be the 2022 Qatar World Cup ambassador; couldn't he also be the 2018 Russia World Cup ambassador? Although I don't really dare to go back... the Russian side would certainly not refuse."

"Boss, Chelsea's revenue is very healthy; even if expenditure exceeds 300 million, it won't breach Financial Fair Play, so we don't need to pay fines."

"Arsenal is going through a messy equity struggle; they're not Barcelona or Real Madrid, so they can't keep superstars."

Ms. Skaya still wanted to report on the Serie A–Juventus situation.

But Abramovich no longer wanted to listen.

Simply put: Arsenal is very likely to sell the 200‑million‑euro player; right now only five clubs across Europe have the strength to meet the high price and can pay extra salary through "special means".

Paris Saint‑Germain, Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester United (top in commercial revenue), and Liverpool (top in net profit in Europe).

Why was Juventus willing to spend 90 million euros last season to sign Higuaín?

Where does the money come from?

Take an interesting example: in the 14/15 Champions League, Juventus were runners‑up, yet they earned more prize money than the champions Barcelona, because UEFA split the prize money into two parts—one part performance‑based, the other part market‑based from the team's home country broadcast and league.

Juventus, the Serie A lone survivor in the European knockout stage.

One club ate the entire Champions League cake of the Apennine Peninsula.

Thus.

All kinds of overseas conglomerates are restless, who doesn't want a share of the cake? The Serie A family capital is about to be swept away by the tide of the times.

North London.

Wilde returned home, dusty and weary.

"Li, I've been duped—I never imagined the huge endorsement deals from Fiat Group and United San Paolo Bank would be a sweet trap."

"They invited you to join Juventus; the actual annual salary would far exceed the number on the contract."

"I said you wouldn't leave Arsenal for money, but they said they could add more..."

Li Kang didn't listen seriously.

The professor gave him top Premier League wages, and the coaching staff and teammates treated him well.

Several line‑up combinations and tactics also clicked smoothly.

If he left the Arsenal for risky money, what would differentiate him from a few gunner predecessors?

Çalhanoğlu recently sent a bunch of transfer tips out of the blue: skip training, pay out of pocket, go on hunger strike, fight teammates, curse the coach, publicly insult fans and the club, wear other clubs' jerseys and sing their anthems...

Days just passed like that.

The final matches of the five major leagues were in full swing.

Matchday 34.

Arsenal arrived in West Midlands county; their opponent was West Bromwich.

This old‑guard powerhouse is also a tough nut; the BIG6 find it hard to take anything good from them.

Under blue skies and white clouds, the Hawthorn Tree Stadium had all its billboards switched to Chinese.

A mysterious Eastern force completely took over West Bromwich.

The club badge is designed adorably, with a magpie‑robin perched on a hawthorn tree branch.

The match was intense.

West Bromwich, wanting nothing, fought with full spirit.

Simply because head coach Tony Pulis disliked Wenger.

During his stint at Stoke City, he often traded barbs with Arsenal, and the fiery scenes of those years could rival the North London derby.

It's worth noting that former favorite Dave Kitson was exposed; Ramsey's leg break back then was because Pulis had urged Stoke City players to do it!

The match grew increasingly tough.

The Gunners were somewhat unaccustomed to this highest‑altitude stadium.

Finally.

West Bromwich 0:3 Arsenal.

Ramsey was like a cheat code, blasting the opponent's goal open twice with powerful shots.

Li Kang also set a Premier League single‑season scoring record for midfielders in this match: 24 goals!

Premier League 35th round.

Arsenal host Leicester City at home.

Fox City no longer has miracles.

Mahrez is out injured.

Vardy is left isolated and ineffective.

Okazaki Shinji, who had been touted as Asia's top star, fully exposed his true abilities.

The match lacked suspense.

Arsenal 3-0 Leicester City.

36th round.

Arsenal 6-0 Swansea.

The opposing manager, Clément, who had previously been an assistant coach for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, often leaked players' quirks; in a post-match interview he said: "Being slaughtered by the Champions League winners a month later? That wouldn't be embarrassing at all."

37th round.

Arsenal 3-1 Everton.

The tall and slim Lukaku was deeply discouraged; his hopes of winning the Premier League Golden Boot this season also grew increasingly slim.

38th round.

Premier League season finale, the invincible trophy has already arrived at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal will host their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur at home.

Arsenal fans are full of confidence: the White Lily will wither in the Arsenal.

Tottenham fans seethe with indignation: let Arsenal's unbeaten season become a fleeting bubble.