Chapter Two: The Four-Million Blind Spot

Graycastle demanded six million. Elena handled the call while Lin passed notes from behind her. Their sporting director claimed three other clubs were bidding. Lin checked their registered squads: two had no place for another holding midfielder, and the third was under financial review. His next note read: Ask for written proof of competing bids. The other end went quiet. The price fell to four and a half million. Lin wrote again: Raise sell-on to 25%. Lower obligation to £2.3m. Add a survival bonus, no appearance fee. “Why no appearance fee?” Elena whispered. “We intend to play him. Don't pay a premium for the inevitable. A survival bonus matters to them and carries nearly no risk for Seabridge.”