Rise of a Football God

"So, dad, how many clubs have made contact to get my signing?"

Hearing that, Mr. Moses smiled proudly before raising his 2 hands up, showing 9 fingers.

Sam's eyes widened. "9 clubs?!"

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"Yes son," this middle-aged man's proud smile widened even more. "Just within yesterday and today after the FIFA Club World Cup final, 9 clubs contacted me but I already wiped 5 of them off your list".

"Why?"

"It's because they're clubs outside Europe's big 5 leagues".

Mr. Moses looked at his son. "You already told me what you wanted after the contract talks with Lille stalled. After Enyimba FC, you're only considering clubs in the big 5 European leagues, right?"

"Right," Sam nodded. "So, who are the clubs?"

Mr. Moses opened a document, looking through it. "First, our delegates from Lille contacted me again yesterday. They were the ones to contact first and since they have my phone contact, they called me directly".

"They've fixed a meeting date already".

"In 2 days, their delegates want to meet with us to discuss physically about getting your signature".

"Wow!" Paul was surprised.

Seeing his reaction, Mr. Moses grinned. "But Lille is just the tip of the iceberg. Unlike before, your star power already changed, we now have the bargaining chips".

"Apart from Lille Olympique Sporting Club, 3 other clubs from Europe also made contact for your signature," Mr. Moses looked at his son. "Wolfsburg from Germany, Villareal from Spain, and Fulham from England".

Hearing these 3 names, household names that literally every football fan who followed football knew, Sam felt a bit breathless.

Heck, it was literally just a year ago when he was still banned from playing football by his mom.

To get here in such a short time, he felt emotional as he heard these club names being called but he asked a question. "Did you say Wolfsburg?"

"Yes, what?"

Sam smiled. "Nothing, it's just that they contacted my captain too, it's the first time that delegates from a European club contacted him".

"Oh!" Mr. Moses nodded in understanding. "I see what they're trying to do now. They know he won't refuse their contract terms so by getting his signature, they want to use that relationship between both of you to get to you".

"They know that if Austin asks you personally to join Wolfsburg, due to your relationship in Enyimba FC, that would already be an advantage in their favor".

"Good signing strategy". Mr. Moses complimented them. "I'm impressed".

He looked at his son. "So Sam, what do you think about the 3 clubs?"

Sam stood up, walking around his room as he rubbed his silky short black hair. "I'm not sure dad, it's been just a year, getting to this stage already where I'm discussing Europe, I'm a bit overwhelmed, and disappointed too".

He looked at his father. "After my performance yesterday, I thought just maybe, I may have finally entered the radar of the top teams in the world".

"Even De Bruyne praised my ability," he smiled. "I thought that was enough, but I guess it's not yet enough".

Mr. Moses looked at his son, understanding how he felt. "Son, wayum wayum bi jegedi".

Sam looked at his father. "What does that mean?"

Mr. Moses grinned. "We're Isoko, it's a quote from where I come from." This middle-aged man had a look of reminiscing in his eyes. "When I was younger, your grandfather used to say it to me".

"It's another way for saying trust the process. Take it slow at a time, it's the little drops of water that creates a mighty ocean". He smiled. "That's what it means".

"I'm a Barca fan too. FC Barcelona may not have contacted you today, but keep believing son, one day, you'll become so big that even they can't ignore you".

"The club is in a period of transition now and I believe that in the future, you'll be the cornerstone that'll lead Barca back to it's peak, so be patient son".

"For now, focus on improving your game, shoring up on weaknesses and perfecting your strengths so that when you eventually go to FC Barcelona, you go there as the perfect specimen, the complete player".

Sam just stared at his father; a smile crept up his face. "Wayum wayum bi jegedi," he muttered, then he went to sit back on the bed.

"I'm ready dad, show me the contract terms".

"That's my boy!" Mr. Moses laughed, patting him on the head.

He opened his document again, focusing on certain parts.

Mr. Moses grinned as he saw the contract terms again. "Remember the last time?" He looked at his son. "I bargained for the terms to be improved, for your weekly salary to be at least 30,000 Euros and for your signing bonus to be at least a million Euros. Guess what? They did one more than what I initially wanted".

Sam's eyes widened. "Really?"

His father nodded. "This time around, Lille is offering you a weekly salary of 40,000 Euros and a signing bonus of 3,000,000 Euros on a 5 years contract".

"5 years?!"

Mr. Moses laughed. "Yes, that's the only part of their contract offer that I find worth negotiating. Apart from that, their offer is the highest of all the clubs that offered you a contract".

"I'm not giving 5 years of my football career to Lille," Sam said before focusing on the document again. "Tell me about the other clubs".

Mr. Moses nodded, opening the document to another page. "Wolfsburg's contract offer is the 2nd best offer after Lille, and theirs is much more reasonable in terms of the contract term".

"They're offering you a weekly salary of 30,000 Euros and a signing bonus of 2,000,000 Euros on a 3 years contract with an extension clause".

"Their contract also has more clauses for bonuses for games where you perform at an extraterrestrial level, winning the man of the match awards".

"Their bonuses for winning any trophy or individual award is also higher".

Sam paid keen attention as his father broke the contract terms to him, and then Mr. Moses opened his document again, going to the next club.Nôv(el)B\\jnn