Chapter 78 Porto's new contract, a million-dollar penalty
After pulling Charles in, Jiang Yuan suddenly realized something. This was Portugal, not China. All the team members had run away as early as 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

Now there are only some young players staying in the base. Of course, there is also Grandma Melissa who is in charge of the team's hygiene. She has not left either.

So, Jiang Yuan had an online call with Lopetegui and Charles through Enrique's laptop in the office.

The result was that Charles, who found himself being used, ran away angrily. At the same time, Lopetegui also said in the video call that he would discuss a new contract with Jiang Yuan when he came to the base tomorrow.

"GuluGulu~"

Jiang Yuan leaned on the sofa, drinking Compal peach juice, looking very comfortable.

Sure enough, Marx was right. Value is not determined by labor, but is realized through the law of competition.

……

"Jiang, I still underestimated you!"

At 8 o'clock in the morning, Lopetegui came to the office early to discuss the new contract with Jiang Yuan.

Under normal circumstances, Lopetegui would definitely choose to discuss work matters during working hours, but the situation is special these days. The first-team players are about to face the first round of the Champions League knockout rounds, so training cannot be sloppy.

Before today's training begins, Lopetegui must first resolve Jiang Yuan's contract issue, because this up-and-coming young man is beginning to be dissatisfied with his contract.

Jiang Yuan sat on the sofa with a comfortable posture. He didn't know since when, he had become the person who went into the office most frequently in the first-line team. Just like when he went to the teacher's office when he was in school, Jiang Yuan was always the first one.

"Mr. Hullen, my dream since childhood is to play for Porto, I can assure you of that. But as you know, my current salary is indeed a bit low."

Lopetegui had a serious expression. As the saying goes, everything before "but" is bullshit. Jiang Yuan's purpose was very simple, which was to get a raise.

Lopetegui took a sip of coffee and said, "I thought about this before I went to bed last night. I can offer you a new contract on behalf of Porto, but you know, due to your age, this new contract will only take effect on the day you turn 17."

Jiang Yuan nodded. Lopetegui was right. He was only 16 years old now. According to UEFA rules, even if he signed a player contract now, the terms of the contract would only take effect on the day after his 17th birthday.

In other words, Jiang Yuan's weekly salary of 550 euros will continue for another month.

"Mr. Hu Lun, I think one month is not a long time. I can wait. I want to hear your opinion on the new contract."

Lopetegui took out a document and a pile of papers and put them on the table. "Originally, I shouldn't talk about these things, but since you are in a hurry, there is no problem for me to talk to you. Porto will provide you with a formal player contract with a weekly salary of 1800 euros and a penalty of 150 million euros for 10 years. The contract will take effect on April 4, which is the day after your 3th birthday."

"1800 euros?"

Jiang Yuan frowned: "Mr. Hu Lun, my salary and liquidated damages don't seem to match each other, right? A liquidated damages of 150 million euros should be at least 5000 euros a week."

Lopetegui pouted: "Jiang, your salary and liquidated damages never seem to match, right?"

"..."

Jiang Yuan was speechless. There was nothing wrong with what Lopetegui said.

Because he has Chinese nationality, his value is much higher than that of professional players of the same level. This is because Jiang Yuan's value includes two items: "player value" and "commercial value".

According to information provided by Porto's financial department, the commercial market value behind Jiang Yuan will not be less than 150 million euros, which is the reason for his million-dollar penalty.

"Okay, Mr. Hulun, I won't talk about the penalty, but as for the weekly salary, you know, Benfica promised me 2500 euros a week. The difference seems a bit too much, right?"

Jiang Yuan licked his lips. The difference between the weekly salary offered by Porto and that offered by Benfica was as much as Jiang Yuan's current weekly salary.

How can it be more?
Lopetegui had long anticipated that Jiang Yuan would be dissatisfied with his weekly salary, and had already prepared his words: "Boy, don't always focus on the money, you should pay more attention to your playing time and so on. Can Benfica guarantee you to play in the league? Have you ever thought about what to do if you go to Benfica but have no ball to play?"

Jiang Yuan nodded: "Mr. Hu Lun, I think what you said is right, so give me a raise in my weekly salary!"

"..."

Lopetegui shook his head. He probably never thought in his life that he would talk to a youth player for so long just for a few hundred euros.

Jiang Yuan knew that there was one benefit to communicating with Lopetegui about the new contract: if it took too long, Lopetegui would definitely become impatient.

And the fact was just as Jiang Yuan expected. After only 10 minutes, Lopetegui, who was playing at home in the office, was defeated. In the end, the two reached an agreement on the new contract.

"Weekly salary 2200 euros, liquidated damages 130 million euros, lasting 8 years, effective April 4, is that ok?"

Lopetegui rolled his eyes at Jiang Yuan. Actually, he could still fight, but the problem was that the morning training was about to begin, and he, as the head coach, had to be present to arrange the training tactics.

"Well, thank you Mr. Hu Lun for your help. I am very satisfied with the new contract. I have been a Porto fan since I was a child..."

"Come on, stop talking nonsense. Training well is better than anything else. There will be a Champions League knockout match in two days. If you perform well, maybe I will take you with me."

Lopetegui's words were shocking.

"What? Mr. Hu Lun, you are too nice to me. Although I know I am very good, you don't have to let me play in the Champions League now. It will make me feel embarrassed!"

Jiang Yuan's face turned red.

"Play in the Champions League? You bastard, you still want to play in the Champions League? I said I would take you there. Did I say I would put you on the roster?"

Lopetegui said unhappily, but what he actually meant was to let Jiang Yuan sit on the bench and observe high-level games up close so that he could learn something.

As for playing, who would let a young player who is less than 17 years old and whose current transfer value is zero play in the Champions League knockout stage?

If Jiang Yuan wants to play in the Champions League this season, there is only one possibility, that is, Lopetegui has lost his mind.

……

(End of this chapter)