The 27-year-old Italian player, Antonio Di Natale, was Li Ang's target today.
Di Natale was not originally part of Li Ang's plan. The reason was simple. He had never thought of this civilian Italian striker's name before.
Li Ang had read about Di Natale in the newspaper. With Empoli's relegation, the Empoli players began to look for a way out. They all fled. Di Natale was in contact with the Serie A team, Udinese. The newspaper said that the two clubs were only one step away from signing a contract.
Li Ang quivered. How could he have forgotten about such a player?
Di Natale was definitely a phenomenon in Italian football. He was definitely a grassroots player. He had never played for a powerhouse team in his entire career. However, those who were familiar with the Serie A league would definitely not be unfamiliar with him. From Li Ang's point of view, Di Natale's ability was not much inferior to the offensive star players of the Serie A powerhouses.
Di Natale was probably the player with the most civilian temperament in the Italian team. At the same time, he was also a late bloomer. He only made his mark in the 20022003 season with Empoli. He scored 13 goals in one season. That year, Di Natale was already 25 years old. In the following season, which was the 20032004 season, Di Natale's goal count decreased sharply. He only scored five league goals. Empoli was also relegated from the Serie A league.
It could be said that the current Di Natale was at a low point. He was originally a player who played in a small club. He was definitely a grassroots player. His outstanding performance in the previous season had been overshadowed by this season. Many people no longer paid attention to this local Italian player who was 177cm tall. In many people's eyes, this player's strength was just so-so. He was ordinary and occasionally performed well. That was all.
*****
However, Li Ang knew about Di Natale's future development. It was this summer that Di Natale joined Udinese and began his journey to becoming a grassroots legend.
In the upcoming 20042005 season, Di Natale scored seven goals in the league. His performance was average.
Then, in the 2005206 season, Di Natale scored eight goals in the league. In the following season, the number of league goals increased to 11. Then, the number of league goals skyrocketed to 17. It could be said that it surprised the entire Italian football world. Di Natale was already 31 years old at that time. Then, in the 20082009 season, Di Natale's league goals decreased to 12.
The Italian media still praised Di Natale for his 12 league goals. After all, Di Natale was already 32 years old. The media also began to feel sorry for him. This player was really a late bloomer. Otherwise, if he had exploded earlier, there would have been a place for Di Natale in the Italian national team. This was a pity, but it also seemed to express one thing. It was a pity that Di Natale's achievements were like this at the age of 30.
However, in the following four seasons, this grassroots veteran named Antonio Di Natale shocked the entire Italian football world. In the following season, the 33-year-old Di Natale scored 29 goals in Serie A, and the 33-year-old Italian veteran was awarded the Golden Boot in Serie A. That was not all. In the following year, when he was 34 years old, Di Natale scored 28 goals in Serie A, and this grassroots veteran was awarded the Golden Boot in Serie A for two consecutive seasons. Then, in the 20112012 season and the 20122013 season, Di Natale scored 23 goals in Serie A for two consecutive seasons! He scored more than 20 league goals in four consecutive seasons. This was the first player in the Serie A in the past 20 years!
It could be said that after transferring to Udinese, Di Natale single-handedly supported the offensive line of this Serie A team, nicknamed the 'Black Rooster'. He had helped Udinese to get fourth place twice and third place once!
How much did Udinese pay to buy Di Natale this summer?
100,000 Euros!
*****
You didn't read it wrong. It was only 100,000 Euros as a symbolic transfer fee!
Empoli, who had already been relegated, did not set any obstacles in Di Natale's transfer. They let him go for just 100,000 Euros!
When Li Ang saw the newspaper report that Di Natale was about to sign a contract with Udinese, he almost jumped up. He could not sit still. He knew all too well how 'late bloomers' Di Natale was!
Moreover, the more Li Ang thought about it, the more he felt that a player like Di Natale was very suitable for the current Sporting de Gijón. In the initial stage of Sporting de Gijón, a grassroots star like this was tailor-made for Sporting de Gijón!
Moreover, the current Di Natale was very ordinary, very ordinary. No one could have imagined that this mature and rather old Italian striker would have such an amazing future.
100,000 Euros for a transfer fee! It was as good as giving it away for free.
Cheap!
Absolutely cheap, and absolutely practical!
He was simply a good match for a small or mid-sized team in its rise to riches!
Moreover, this player was so honest that it made people gasp in admiration. In Udinese, Di Natale's salary was only 700,000 Euros. When he received the Golden Boot, he asked for a raise. Udinese raised his salary to 800,000 Euros. The honest Di Natale was happy to renew his contract. After receiving the Golden Boot, the club renewed his contract again, raising his salary to 1,200,000 Euros. He happily signed the contract again …
The more Li Ang thought about it, the more he felt that if he missed out on such a player, it would be unforgivable!
*****
After that, Li Ang directly contacted Di Natale, and the two of them met at the Italian restaurant.
Li Ang revealed his identity to him, saying that he was the manager of Sporting de Gijón in the Spanish La Liga. Li Ang solemnly said that he had been following Di Natale for more than half a season and admired him very much. This time, he had specially come from Spain, hoping to bring him to La Liga.
Di Natale was a little surprised by the sudden appearance of the manager of a La Liga team. He had never heard of Sporting de Gijón, but the other party introduced them as the champions of the Copa del Rey. They had defeated Real Madrid in the final with a score of 4-3. Therefore, the team had the qualifications to participate in next season's UEFA Europa League!
This moved Di Natale. For this honest and dutiful person, he had been playing for low-level teams since his debut. Then, he returned to his mother's team, Empoli, at the age of 22. He played in this Serie A team for three years in Serie B, two seasons in Serie A, and was now relegated back to Serie B for five years. For Di Natale, the UEFA Europa League was a great attraction.
Moreover, this team had been able to win the Copa del Rey, and had defeated the powerful Real Madrid. This made Di Natale extremely respectful.
In short, at this time, Di Natale could be said to be a country bumpkin who had not seen the world. He could not have known that his future career development would be so brilliant. After all, he was already 27 years old. According to the path of a typical professional player, a 27-year-old who was still hanging out with a team that avoided relegation was not doing well.
Therefore, in the face of Li Ang, the champion manager who had snatched the championship trophy from Real Madrid, Di Natale's attitude was very respectful, even though this manager's young age had surprised him.
Li Ang was now very glad that he had decided to fight in the Copa del Rey. With the Copa del Rey title and the qualification to participate in the UEFA Europa League, this was the biggest capital he had to attract players now. Otherwise, a newly promoted team in La Liga would not be attractive. And in the Copa del Rey final, the great achievement of defeating Real Madrid undoubtedly made this trophy more convincing and more dazzling.
*****
Di Natale was tempted.
Now he was faced with a choice: go to Udinese or go to Sporting de Gijón.
If he went to Udinese, he could continue to play in Serie A, but he did not know what the future would be in Udinese. He did not know if the Udinese manager would put him in an important position.
What about going to Spain? This team could participate in the UEFA Europa League, which was a great attraction to him. In addition, Li Ang, as the manager, had personally come to Italy to invite him. This expressed his sincerity. Li Ang also promised him that in Sporting de Gijón, he would be able to obtain an absolute position as the main player. This also moved Di Natale. As we have said before, this is an honest and dutiful player, and he is very emotional.
Di Natale was hesitant. It could even be said that he was inclined to go to Spain, but he could not make up his mind.
After all, leaving his hometown and creating in Spain was a completely unfamiliar environment. Whether it was the living habits or the language environment, it was all unfamiliar. This made Di Natale a little afraid and hesitant. Honest people liked a stable environment.
At this time, when Li Ang finished the phone call and told him that Fabio Grosso was going to join Sporting de Gijón, this news directly became the weight that pushed Di Natale to make a decision!
Li Ang asked him if he was familiar with Fabio Grosso. They were not familiar with each other, and Grosso was a fringe Italian national footballer. Whether it was fame or influence, he was stronger than Di Natale. Grosso's willingness to go to Sporting de Gijón had a great impact on Di Natale. It was good to have a fellow countryman together. Although the two of them were not familiar with each other, they were both Italians. If they played in the same overseas team, they would definitely be familiar with each other.
Moreover, a player of Grosso's level was willing to go to Sporting de Gijón, which indirectly affected Di Natale.
*****
Di Natale made a decision. He did not want to go to Udinese. He decided to go to Spain and follow this young champion manager to make a name for himself.
"Sir, I've decided," Di Natale said seriously. "I'm going to Sporting de Gijón."
"That's great!" Li Ang did not hide his happiness at all. He came up and gave Di Natale a big hug. Then he said to the short player, "Antonio, you will be proud of your decision. Your future will be great. You will become the star player of Sporting de Gijón. You will stir up the Spanish football world. You will enter the Italian national team! You will become Italy's most successful overseas football player! "
Li Ang was really excited and blabbered on.
Di Natale was stunned at first, then he smiled honestly. He did not dare to think about what the manager said. Was he really that good? He was already twenty-seven years old, and he was nearing the end of his career. However, when he heard Li Ang say these words with great excitement, he could tell that the manager was sincere. This made Di Natale very happy. He did not know why the manager thought so highly of him, but this trust made Di Natale very touched.
"Haha —" Li Ang glanced at Di Natale. "You don't believe me?"
"No, sir, I'm not —" Di Natale was at a loss. Then he nodded and said, "I just find it unbelievable."
"Believe me, Antonio!" Antonio. "Li Ang handed over his right hand." You will have a very successful career! "
Looking at the sincere smile of the young 'champion manager' in front of him, Di Natale felt warm in his heart. He did not say anything. He just smiled honestly and then the two of them shook hands …
It feels good to have such a manager who trusts me so much, Di Natale thought. He was suddenly full of expectations for his future in Spain …
PS: Di Natale, Xiao Qi really likes this player, although he always scores goals for Xiao Qi's favorite team …
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