Negotiations

Harry sat in the office of Ross Taylor looking at the noisy aged men arguing back and forth about his ability or the lack of it. They had already gone over the risks that come with such a lucrative contract repeatedly.

Harry looked at his agent and said, "It's deadline day and a lot of paperwork needs to be done for the deal. Did you tell them that we only need to fax the signed contract to The Red Bulls by 11 am? They will do the related paperwork and I can leave before the window closes."

"Little boy, you should not be so arrogant and look down on people." One of the old men, not participating in the heated debate, was sitting close to Harry. He moved his chair closer, shook hands and politely advised Harry.

"I always thought one shouldn't eavesdrop on people." Harry retorted before continuing, "Sorry, but I will let you know that I really don't like the management of this club. I don't recognize who you are, but let me tell you that I love the more than 10,000 fans I have somehow gained in this city. If it were not for that, I would not have bothered to come here."

"Kid, first, one should not brag so much. Second, I have heard of the problems you faced, but I am not so clear about it. Will you elaborate?"

"Old man, I play on a pay as you play contract for the amateur club because they would expel me from the academy otherwise. If not for my wits and my courage not to yield in contract negotiations, then I wouldn't have made them pay me more than they thought they would.

Do you know? There is no progress report on me in the academy book. My profile is blanker than the resume I sent. I might be the best passer of the ball the academy has ever seen, and yet I have never been selected by the youth teams. Neither my fitness nor my health are an issue like those old men are discussing over there.

The thing that annoys me the most is that I was offered a £1000 a week wage. Which means there is someone high up in the management of the Peasants who is helping the E-City Club. The person could also be someone against Coach Ross but anyway, that was an insulting offer." Harry complained on and on with a resentful expression on his face.

"Hohoho, So do you think you are worthy of the wages you demanded?"

"Absolutely! I can create, score, track back and dribble past people. I always try to improve as I want to become the best. So by next season, you might think I am a bargain." Harry's eyes sparkled as he confidently declared.

"There you go bragging again, but you're very confident in your self."

"I'm not bragging, I know myself. By the way, I don't know the local language. Yet, if I made a social media account and posted once in the local language, at least 5000 people of this city would like it.

These fans have been brilliant for me for the past 1 and a half years. It's always a wonderful feeling when almost 4000 people sing your name in a stadium with 5000 seats." Harry had a big smile on his face, like a naive kid or an innocent baby, as he talked about his fans.

"You realise that Peasants and E-City are two different clubs, right? Some of the fans might hate you with your current transfer. Especially when the club is on track to promotion."

"Well, they might... but the rivalry between the two clubs was a long time ago. Fans of the two clubs are more friendly nowadays.

As for the promotion, if I were allowed more minutes in the earlier part of the first season, we could have made it to the playoffs. I was the club's top scorer even though I had fewer minutes. This season, we lead the second place by 14 points. So, it will be bad management if they don't get promoted."

"Alright, one last question. Why do you have a demand for a release clause of €35 million? Usually, it's the clubs who come up with such clauses to get more fees for talents they know they'll not be able to keep."

"That's, well, that is just me being petty. Blaugrana and Red Devils held a trial in my home country. I failed the trials. If they ever come to buy me, I think they should pay at least €30 million for me." Harry replied with a sheepish smile on his face.

'I can't tell you I have a Passive Quest, to let them buy me for more than €30 million and offer me weekly wages of €120,000 at the minimum.' Harry thought to himself.

"Alright, kid, it's about time... I will set things straight for you. Don't disappoint me." Saying so, the old man got up from his seat. He knocked the coach's table to get everyone's attention.

For some reason, everyone stopped talking. The old man addressed everyone, "I can see that most of the people are not in agreement with this signing. However, this is not a fish market where you can make noise and argue like that. Our little friend Harry will leave if we don't make a decision fast."

Harry gaped as he watched the old man speak.

"As the chairman, I have decided to take things in my own hands this time. Harry, I will let you be our most expensive player and offer you €3,000,000 per year wages. However, the contract would be for three years. We will add a €65,000,000 release clause. We won't stop you from leaving in any transfer window if team Blaugrana or Red Devil's activate the clause. Are you okay with this?"

"Old m... I mean, Mr. Chairman, isn't that release clause too high?" Harry was flabbergasted and barely managed to respond.

"Boy, were you bragging before or do you doubt your own talents?"

"No, I am confident they would activate the clause within three years. However, I am not sure if I want to stay here for longer than 2 years."

"My friend, I am afraid that the ball is in your court with regards to that decision. We are willing to believe in your talent and pay you much more than you currently deserve. In addition, we even allow you to leave anytime for the clubs of your choice for a certain fee. However, if you cannot commit three years to the club, the deal is off."

Harry could only ask for some minutes to discuss. He left the room with his agent.

"You should take the offer, you won't ever get a better offer than that with your current ability." Maria advised him before he could talk to his agent.

"Little Boss, just accept the deal. It's crazy good. That old man is taking a big risk with you. I don't know what has gotten in his head."

"You don't understand. I want to play for Blaugrana and Red Devils. If I accept that deal, I would have to reach the ECFF Cup Final or the Quarter Finals of the ECFF League with this team. Only in that case will these clubs be attracted to me and activate such a high release clause."

"Boss, then just do that. How come you are doubting yourself?"

"I am not doubting myself. I think I just don't believe in this team to be able to do it."

"Boss, why don't you sign for the team for now? We will see how the remaining half of the season goes. You can inform me of the type of players the team needs to perform well in the ECFF Cup. Your family runs an agency. You are friends with Sherry and David who might be sent out on loan next season. There is also Robinson who might want to transfer. So we have three positions covered."

"Hey, all the kids in the agency are from our P Country and most can't play at the level of E continent's football."

"We are getting way off the real point of conversation here. Nonetheless, I will have to add that I have some connections after being in the field for more than 2 years. Moreover, the club has its own transfer structure. Most of all, do you think a team that was 2nd for three consecutive seasons in the 7th best league is bad?"

"I guess this is just me overthinking things again. I will sign. Now, you go get me some good bonuses."

1 hour later, the contract terms were finalized. Harry received a signing bonus of €2,500,000 for the 3-year deal. His wages were €3,000,000 per year. He had a Release Clause of €65,000,000. Harry was entitled to 30 minutes of playing time every match (unless injured or suspended.)

He was entitled to various bonuses including the following:

€100,000 for every time he reached 15 Appearances for the Club.

€100,000 for every time he scored 10 Goals.

€100,000 for every time he got 5 Assists.

€200,000 for getting the Golden Boot.

€100,000 for the Young Player of the Season award.

€250,000 for the Player of the Season award.

€150,000 for being included in the Team of the Season XI.

€100,000 for the team winning the Domestic Cup.

€200,000 for the team qualifying for the E Continent Football Federation Cup.

€300,000 for the team Winning the League.

€300,000 for the team qualifying for the E Continent Football Federation League.

€200,000 for the team reaching the ECFF Cup Quarter Finals and the same amount for advancing to the Semi-Finals and Final.

€500,000 for the team Winning the ECFF Cup.

€500,000 for the team reaching the ECFF League Quarter Finals and the same amount for advancing to the Semi-Finals and Final.

€1,000,000 for becoming the ECFF Young Player of the Year.

There were bonuses for winning the ECFF League and becoming the ECFF Player of the Year that Harry didn't bother with.

Harry read through all the contract terms twice. He didn't find anything out of place and signed the contract.

Harry's agent got busy with the remaining paperwork of the deal. They had already cancelled their contract yesterday, with E-City Club, after Harry's agent knew he was offered two deals.

The signing bonus, given by the Peasants, of €2,500,000 included the €2,000,000 contract termination fees.

Harry, left with nothing to do, decided to walk back to the dormitory.