Chapter 27 Garcia's Invitation

To make it easier to persuade Zhou Yi, Garcia had deliberately found a relatively secluded corner where no one could disturb them.

He needed such an environment to allow Zhou Yi to avoid distractions and listen to him.

There were only him and Zhou Yi, plus a Spanish translator provided by the Chinese team for Zhou Yi.

Garcia didn't waste much time. After praising Zhou Yi's performance in the competition, he went straight to the point: "Are you willing to come to La Masia?"

Generally, if children were asked this question by Garcia, they would jump three feet high, forgetting their own name in excitement. They would nod and agree immediately, afraid that if they answered a second later, the opportunity to join La Masia would be gone.

But Zhou Yi was not like that. After listening to the translator's words, he frowned.

He wasn't a fool. Of course, he knew that La Masia's youth training was better than Dortmund's. As far as the first team was concerned, Barcelona was also more attractive than Dortmund.

It would be impossible to say that Zhou Yi wasn't tempted at all by the other party's invitation; that would be a lie.

Zhou Yi was also a little flattered and honored by Barcelona's blatant invitation to him.

At the very least, it proved that his ability was valued by La Masia, and he could enter one of the best youth training camps in the world with his own ability.

But the problem was that he had already reached an agreement with Dortmund.

If it weren't for this matter with Dortmund, he might have seriously considered whether to go to La Masia.

But now, everything had become impossible.

He shook his head and said to the translator, "I've already reached an agreement with Dortmund..."

After listening to the translator's words, Garcia smiled and asked him, "Have you signed a contract?"

Zhou Yi shook his head: "Not yet, just a verbal agreement..."

"So, you see, young man. There is no written contract between you, so there is no contractual relationship between you, and you don't have to abide by the verbal agreement. You must know that La Masia's youth training level is much better than Dortmund's. Besides, our first team is Barcelona! A world-class powerhouse, one of the most successful clubs in Europe! This is much stronger than Dortmund." Garcia said this with full confidence, completely disregarding Dortmund. Of course, he was qualified to say and think so, because Dortmund was indeed comprehensively inferior to Barcelona. No matter which aspect you looked at, they were not qualified to compete with Barcelona for talent.

Even if Bayern Munich, the boss of the Bundesliga, came, Barcelona would not be afraid.

"In Barcelona, you will get the best development. But in Dortmund, I'm sorry..." Garcia spread his hands, shaking his head and pursing his lips. "I don't think that's a good place to go. If I remember correctly, they ranked thirteenth in the Bundesliga last season? They have poor finances, an unstable lineup, and fluctuating results... Such a team is definitely not the right choice for your future development."

Garcia's confidence and pride in his club had been cultivated by working here, and it had become his instinct.

However, Zhou Yi felt a little uncomfortable with his words and expressions.

Because he had already reached an agreement with Dortmund, and he had decided to go to Dortmund, but Garcia was saying in front of him that Dortmund was so unbearable, and that going to Dortmund was not the right choice. Wasn't that saying that Zhou Yi's choice was stupid?

Zhou Yi didn't like Garcia's condescending attitude.

At the very least, the head coach of Dortmund's first team came to Barcelona in person to invite him to dinner and persuade him to go to Dortmund. For the sake of this sincerity, Zhou Yi was more inclined to Dortmund!

He had been flattered and conflicted before because Barcelona was interested in him, but now it was all gone.

Thank you, Garcia, for so decisively promoting the goodness of Barcelona and belittling Dortmund.

After listening to the translator's words, Zhou Yi shook his head and said, "Yes, sir. In theory, I don't have any contract with Dortmund, and I don't have to follow my previous commitment. But, I think people should have some contract spirit, right?"

The translator was a little flustered when he heard Zhou Yi say this. He whispered to remind Zhou Yi: "Zhou Yi, it's not appropriate for you to say that, is it?"

"What's inappropriate?" Zhou Yi asked.

"If you say that, people will think you're scolding him for not having a contract spirit..."

"How could that be, Brother Li? Don't think too much. Mr. Garcia is such an upright person, he won't make wild associations." Zhou Yi smiled and nodded to Garcia opposite him, who was waiting for the translation.

"This..." The translator, Brother Li, hesitated.

"Translate it truthfully, Brother Li. Really, it's okay." Zhou Yi insisted.

Brother Li had no choice but to translate Zhou Yi's words. Of course, he paid attention to the wording and tone, but the meaning remained the same.

So Garcia's expression changed after listening to the translation.

He wasn't stupid, and he could hear the subtext. What surprised him was Zhou Yi's attitude.

He thought that as long as he stated his intentions, Zhou Yi would definitely choose Barcelona without hesitation.

But unexpectedly, listening to this, Zhou Yi seemed unwilling to give up Dortmund?

Was this kid a blockhead?

"But Zhou, you have to think clearly. Your style of play is more suitable for Barcelona. I see a shadow of Xavi in you... In Barcelona, you can be by Xavi's side and learn a lot from him..."

Zhou Yi shrugged: "You're right, Mr. Garcia. But the premise of our conversation is that I have already reached an agreement with Dortmund. I will not betray my commitment, and I don't want to be a villain who doesn't keep his word. Perhaps breaking my promise would allow me to have a smoother career, but I'm not happy to do that."

The translator, Brother Li, sighed in his heart—this kid's stubbornness is really beyond imagination... In fact, in his heart as a translator, he hoped that Zhou Yi would go to Barcelona.

How impressive would that be when he talked about it in the future!

That was Barcelona!

Compared with them, Dortmund was really much dimmer.

"So I'm sorry, Mr. Garcia. Barcelona is interested in me and recognizes my ability, which makes me flattered and very grateful. Barcelona is indeed one of the best clubs in the world. But there has to be a first come, first served, and I have already reached an agreement with Dortmund. No matter how inferior this team is to Barcelona, I will abide by my commitment. This is the basic principle of being a person."

After speaking, Zhou Yi bowed to the other party, turned around, and walked away.

"Hey..." Brother Li was very surprised because he hadn't translated yet...

But Garcia didn't need him to translate anymore. The answer was obvious—Zhou Yi had rejected him, rejected La Masia and Barcelona!

This was simply... unbelievable to Garcia.

He couldn't help but shout at Zhou Yi's back: "Young man, youthful impulsiveness will make you regret it!"

Unfortunately, this sentence was not translated, and Zhou Yi couldn't understand it. He didn't respond to this sentence in any way, and just walked towards his teammates without looking back.

※※※

Hao Dong saw Zhou Yi walking back alone and had already guessed the answer, but he didn't ask Zhou Yi. Instead, he said to him: "People from Arsenal are looking for you, Zhou Yi. You're a hot commodity now."

Zhou Yi was very surprised: "Didn't I reject them?"

"They have now changed their conditions. They have decided to agree to the requirements you proposed, use the special talent clause for you, and give you a first-team guarantee."

Zhou Yi shook his head: "But I have already reached an agreement with Dortmund."

"You should go and tell him yourself. I can be your translator," Hao Dong said.

"Okay..." Zhou Yi was very helpless—he wanted to celebrate the victory with his teammates!!

※※※

When Alan Powell faced Zhou Yi again, he couldn't wait to throw out all his conditions and told Zhou Yi that Arsenal was very sincere this time!

Zhou Yi listened to him finish all the conditions before starting: "But, Mr. Powell. I have already reached an agreement with Dortmund."

Powell was stunned after hearing this—Dortmund? Why not Barcelona?

He originally thought that Barcelona had persuaded Zhou Yi, but he didn't expect it to be Dortmund!

After the initial shock, he realized that this might be an opportunity.

How could Dortmund compare with Arsenal in youth training?

But just as he was about to open his mouth to persuade Zhou Yi to reconsider, he heard Zhou Yi say: "Moreover, I have already signed the contract to join Dortmund. Sorry, Mr. Powell, you are too late."

Powell's mouth was open, but he didn't make a single syllable. He just stood there in a daze.

Only Zhou Yi's last sentence echoed in his mind.

You are too late...

Too late...

Late...

He realized that the worst news was not that Zhou Yi was called away by the people from La Masia, but that he was too late...

※※※

"Zhou Yi, you lied just now." After leaving Powell, Hao Dong pointed out Zhou Yi's problem.

"There's no way, Director Hao. If I didn't say that, I'm afraid everyone would want me to kick Dortmund away and sign with their club. Who said that Europeans are honest, trustworthy, and pay attention to contract spirit?" Zhou Yi was also very helpless.

"Hey, get used to it. All kinds of petty things are very common in the football world. Players poaching and poaching are of course unscrupulous." Hao Dong patted Zhou Yi on the shoulder with the experience of someone who had been there. "This thing is the same all over the world. Some clubs offer various conditions to attract young players to their place, tempting players to refuse to renew their contracts with their original club, such as providing houses and cars, providing jobs for players' parents... What is your matter?"

"Can they provide houses and cars? Does the house in Barcelona have room for appreciation?" Zhou Yi began to consider. "How much money can I make if I sell it in a few years?"

Hao Dong was amused by him: "Don't think about it, you have already rejected Barcelona! The big clubs also have tempers, and they will definitely not come to you again."

"Ah, that's a real pity!" Zhou Yi sighed.

"Act!" Hao Dong scolded with a smile. "Okay, go celebrate the victory. Before we return to the hotel, if someone looks for you, I will help you block them."

"Thank you, Director Hao!" Zhou Yi cheered and ran to his teammates.

Looking at his cheerful running figure, Hao Dong shook his head with a smile.

This kid is really amazing to be able to say no to Barcelona...

He has seen many geniuses who are proud of their youth, forget themselves, and lose their way in life, but this Zhou Yi's mind is so clear that he doesn't seem like a seventeen-year-old child...

Based on this alone, maybe he will really have great development in the future!

※※※

ps, there is another chapter at six o'clock in the afternoon, please vote for monthly tickets and first orders!