"This is the tenth season that Arshavin has played for Zenit St. Petersburg. As the captain and flag bearer of Zenit St. Petersburg, he is undoubtedly the biggest star of this team. However, Arshavin has begun to express his desire to play in the mainstream European leagues. For a player who is already 26 years old, he is obviously not young anymore. Perhaps the mainstream European leagues don't know much about the captain of Zenit St. Petersburg. However, next year's European Championship will be the stage for Arshavin to show his strength. This core midfielder of the Russian national team is confident that he can lead the team to a good result in next year's European Championship …"
"In an interview, Arshavin also expressed his desire to leave the Russian Premier League and play in the mainstream European leagues. When asked which team he wanted to play for the most, the Russian national player revealed his identity as a Barcelona fan. Obviously, he dreams of playing in Camp Nou one day …"
The video clip was playing in the meeting room of the Pinenati Training Base.
Li Ang pressed the pause button on his laptop, and the projector stayed on the picture of the baby-faced Russian star.
"This is your target, a Russian? Li? "the president of Inter Milan, Massimo Moratti, asked.
"That's right. Andrey Arshavin, the Russian national player. He is very fast, very good at dribbling, very sharp, and has a good passing ability!" Li Ang nodded, "With him, the team can greatly enrich the offensive methods. He is a good addition to the team!"
*****
The manager of Inter Milan, Oriali, was also in the meeting room. He raised his doubts, "Looking at the video clip, he is indeed good … However, according to the data, this Russian player has been playing for Zenit St. Petersburg since his debut. He has never left this team."
Obviously, Oriali was worried that Arshavin was a systematic player, and his performance after leaving Zenit St. Petersburg was questionable.
It could also be understood that Arshavin had been playing for Zenit St. Petersburg for a long time, and it was doubtful whether he could adapt to the style of other teams and leagues.
In fact, there were many such players in the football world who had been staying in a certain team. Generally, they were small and medium-sized teams in the five major leagues or teams in other European leagues. Their performance was not bad and they were important players in the team, even core players. However, once they left the mother team that they were familiar with, their performance was very unsatisfactory.
"I don't think we need to worry too much about this." Li Ang said, "This is a 26-year-old player who is in the prime of his career. In fact, players at this age have the least risk."
Hearing Li Ang's words, Oriari nodded. He admitted this point. Compared to the younger players and the veteran players who were over 30 years old, the 26-27 years old players were indeed in their prime.
Moratti didn't say anything; he was thinking. To be honest, he wasn't interested in bringing in a Russian player. Inter Milan had never had a Russian player in its history.
Also, he was doubtful about whether a Russian player could adapt to the Serie A and Inter Milan.
*****
"A Russian player … …" Moratti was a little hesitant.
"My eyes can't be wrong," Li Ang said with a smile.
After Li Ang said that, both Moratti and Oriali laughed. That was right. Li Ang's eyes were very accurate, and he had never been wrong. Since he thought so highly of Arshavin, then this captain of Zenit St. Petersburg was indeed a good choice.
"Li, it looks like you like this player a lot. He is indeed a good player." Moratti smiled. Then, he looked up at Li Ang and asked, "Zenit St. Petersburg will let their captain go?"
"If we send out an invitation, I think Arshavin will be tempted," Li Ang said directly.
Moratti liked what he heard. After Li Ang took charge of Inter Milan, Inter Milan's results were very good. They won the Champions League in the 20052006 season and dominated the Serie A for two consecutive seasons. Inter Milan had long gotten rid of the "black hole" image of a star player who hadn't won any titles for many years. Now, they were one of the most popular teams in European football.
Inter Milan sent out an invitation to Arshavin, so there was no way he wouldn't be tempted.
*****
"We have another advantage, and that's our manager!" Oriali smiled and took the opportunity to compliment Li Ang.
"I agree with that," Li Ang nodded and said with a smile. Moratti and Oriali also laughed.
"What about the transfer fee?" Moratti asked.
"We can talk to the Russians about this. Although Arshavin is the captain of Zenit St. Petersburg and the core of the Russian national team, as we just said, he has never played in other leagues or teams. This is also one of the reasons why other teams have been hesitant to bring him in. Therefore, this player's value won't be too high," Li Ang said. "Of course, if the Russians ask for too much, we can give up."
After listening to Li Ang's analysis, Moratti looked at Oriali. He wanted to hear the club manager's opinion.
Oriali pondered for a while and said, "We can contact the Russians first. If the price is right, we can consider it. I agree with the transfer plan. "
His cooperation with Olivier had always been pleasant. Of course, he would also listen to Olivier's suggestions to a certain extent as a sign of respect. The latter would generally cooperate with Li Ang. As for the negotiation work, it was handed over to Olivier to do. The two sides had a tacit understanding. Olivier had the right to introduce and purge the players. Of course, he would also listen to Olivier's suggestions to a certain extent as a sign of respect.
Li Ang had a lot of power in the transfer of players. This was agreed, and Moratti did trust Li Ang a lot. Now, Oriali also supported him. In this case, Moratti naturally had no objections. "In that case, let's contact the Russian club."
"Thank you." Li Ang thanked Moratti and Oriali for their support in his work, and then he said goodbye and left. "I still have something to do. I'll go back to work."
After Li Ang left, Moratti glanced at Oriali, shrugged, and said with a smile, "It seems that Inter Milan is going to welcome the first Russian player in the club's history."
"Some people will say that Inter Milan is an international column." Oriali also laughed.
Inter Milan was doing very well now. The team was in a good state, and these two big shots were also in a very good mood. Since the summer of 2005, when Li Ang came to Milan to coach Inter Milan, the period that followed was also regarded as the most glorious period in the history of Inter Milan. It opened a great era …
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