Not wanting another missed opportunity like Isco, Tiger King wasted no time. The moment Eric Bailly's transfer was completed in Barcelona, he and Woodward boarded the next flight to France.
This was a crucial part of their transfer plan—six players from the French league were on Tiger King's radar. He couldn't afford any more delays.
As their plane soared over the Pyrenees, Woodward leaned back in his seat and sighed. "Tiger, do you ever take a break?" he asked with a smirk.
Tiger King chuckled. "Not when there's talent up for grabs. If we move fast, we'll be bringing back half a team from France."
Woodward shook his head, amused. "Just don't bankrupt me, alright? We need more homegrown talents in the squad Tiger. Please pay attention to this."
Tiger King only smiled. The hunt for the future of Manchester United was just getting started.
After arriving in France, Tiger King went straight to Boulogne, a city in northern France. Along the way, Tiger King asked Woodward: "Ed, guess who on the list is the one I value the most?"
Tiger King chuckled, "Ed, you really are a businessman through and through. Always thinking about numbers first."
Woodward smirked, "Numbers don't lie, Tiger. The most expensive player on your list must be the most valuable, right?"
Tiger King shook his head, "Not necessarily. Value isn't just about price. Sometimes, the best investments are the ones that don't cost much now but grow into something priceless."
Woodward raised an eyebrow, "So, you're saying the player you value the most isn't Lewandowski?"
Tiger King grinned. "You'll see soon enough."
Their car rolled into Boulogne, a quiet coastal city with a rich footballing history. They were here for a young talent, one who was still relatively unknown outside of France. Tiger King's instincts told him this player was special, and after missing out on Isco, he wasn't going to take any chances.
Woodward leaned back in his seat, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "So, we're here for a defensive midfielder. Someone tough, disciplined, and capable of commanding the middle of the park."
Tiger King nodded. "Exactly. Someone who can protect the back line, break up attacks, and set the tempo for our play. A true midfield enforcer."
As the car weaved through the streets of Boulogne, Woodward glanced at his notes. "So, who is this mystery man we're after?"
Tiger King smiled. "You'll find out soon. But I'll tell you this—he's young, full of potential, and in a few years, people will be wondering how we got him for so cheap."
"Waist is truly important for the team as well as the man" said Ed
Tiger King smirked. "Ed, you just can't stop thinking about that, can you?"
Woodward chuckled, leaning back. "Hey, whether it's football or life, a strong core keeps everything stable. Midfielders hold the team together, just like—" He gave a sly grin. "Well, you get the idea."
Tiger King shook his head, laughing. "You really do need that trip to Amsterdam, huh?"
Woodward put his hands up in mock innocence. "Purely for cultural enrichment, of course."
Tiger King rolled his eyes. "Right, and I'm sure you're only interested in Dutch 'total football,' not the other 'attractions.'"
Woodward winked. "Let's just say, like a good midfield, balance is key."
The two shared a hearty laugh as their car moved forward to Boulogne. Business was waiting—but a little fun along the way never hurt.
The car pulled up outside to a quiet apartment in the suburban area. Tiger King wasted no time, stepping out with purpose. This time, there would be no hesitation, no drawn-out negotiations. He had learned his lesson from Isco—when you see talent, you strike fast.
Woodward looked puzzled. "I thought we were heading straight to Boulogne's club?"
Tiger King shook his finger. "Ed, you're mistaken. Boulogne isn't in Ligue 2 anymore—they got relegated to the third division last season."
Woodward sighed theatrically. "Oh, I really feel bad for them." Then, with a sly grin, he added, "But doesn't that mean we can get their players for even cheaper?"
Tiger King shook his head with a smirk. "Ed, can we have one conversation where you don't bring up money?"
"Absolutely not," Woodward declared with mock seriousness. "I was practically born from money." He straightened his posture and added, "Besides, we have our roles—your job is to win trophies, mine is to make sure the club profits."
Tiger King chuckled. "Fine, teamwork makes the dream work."
"Exactly—flawless coordination!"
"But you might actually like our target this time," Tiger King said with a grin. "He's a free agent—doesn't cost us a penny in transfer fees."
Woodward's eyes lit up. "Now that's the kind of deal I like!"
As they walked forward, chatting, they soon arrived at an apartment complex on the outskirts of Boulogne. The area was far removed from the bustling city—quiet and peaceful—but the living conditions were modest at best. It was nothing like the luxurious neighborhoods where England's football stars resided.
"This place is really rundown," Woodward muttered as he stepped out of the car, following Tiger King toward the entrance.
Tiger King glanced around, taking in the surroundings. "Looks like my future midfield anchor is quite frugal. But then again, wages in the lower French leagues aren't exactly Premier League standard."
"Yeah," Woodward smirked, "some of our youth players probably make more than he does."
They made their way inside the apartment building, which lacked even a basic reception desk. The narrow hallways and worn-out staircases reflected the struggles of those living here. After a bit of searching, they stopped in front of a door and double-checked the number.
"This is the one?" Woodward asked.
Tiger King nodded. "Should be."
He knocked lightly. For a long moment, there was no response. Then, the door creaked open, revealing a modestly built young man with dark skin. He regarded the two strangers with curiosity and caution. "Can I help you?" he asked.
Tiger King offered a warm smile and extended his hand. "Hello, are you N'Golo Kanté?"
The young man hesitated briefly before nodding. "Yes… and you are?"
"Hello, N'Golo Kanté, I'm looking for you," said Tiger King in fluent French.
Kanté, still holding the door slightly ajar, blinked in surprise. "Me?"
Tiger King nodded with a smile. "Yes. May we come in?"
Kanté hesitated for a moment before stepping aside, allowing them to enter. The apartment was small and sparsely furnished—neat but humble, a stark contrast to the extravagant lifestyles of Premier League stars.
Woodward glanced around and whispered to Tiger King, "This kid clearly isn't in it for the money."
Tiger King smirked. "Exactly why he's perfect for us." Then, turning back to Kanté, he said warmly, "Let's sit and talk."
"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I'll get you both a cup of coffee," Kanté said before heading toward the kitchen.
As he disappeared from view, Woodward turned to Tiger King with a curious expression. "When did you learn to speak French?"
Tiger King shrugged. "A hotel waiter taught me a few days ago," he admitted. "I only learned two sentences."
Woodward smirked, barely holding back a laugh. "I should have guessed. You're willing to learn a new language just to buy a player—what a dedicated head coach."
As they chatted, Kanté returned, setting down two cups of French green coffee before taking a seat across from them.
"Merci," Tiger King said politely in French.
"You're welcome," Kanté replied, studying them with mild curiosity. "Judging by your accents, you're not French, are you?"
Tiger King gestured toward Woodward. "That was actually the second and last French phrase I know. The rest is up to my translator here."
Woodward chuckled. "Great. When we get back, I'm requesting a translator's salary from the board."
Joking aside, Tiger King had to admit that traveling with Woodward had been a huge advantage. His connections with European clubs made negotiations smoother, and his impressive command of multiple languages allowed them to communicate effortlessly wherever they went. If one didn't know better, they'd struggle to guess Woodward's nationality just by hearing him speak.
Kanté listened to them converse in English, his expression shifting slightly. "Has my availability already been reported in England?" he asked hesitantly.
"Selling a house?" Woodward perked up, amusement flashing in his eyes. "Mr. Kanté, we're not from a real estate agency. We're here to offer you a contract worth far more than any house."
"What's the situation?" Kanté was getting more and more confused. He wanted to understand what the two were doing popping up at his house.
Tiger King listened to their exchange, his patience wearing thin. Annoyed, he finally snapped, "Ed, stop rambling and get to the point!"
Woodward straightened up, his playful demeanor fading as he turned serious. He shifted the conversation to Kanté, introducing himself and Tiger King properly while explaining the purpose of their visit.
Kanté was stunned. He had never imagined that the man with a Chinese face sitting before him was actually Manchester United's new head coach—and that he was here to sign him!
At that moment, Woodward leaned back in his chair, signaling that he was stepping aside. From now on, the conversation was in Tiger King's hands—Woodward would simply play his role as a diligent French translator.
Tiger King smiled warmly. "Mr. Kanté, to show my sincerity, I took the time to learn two French words—your name and 'thank you.' Beyond that, my French is completely useless."
Kanté chuckled at Tiger King's honesty. "Mr. King, football is the best language in the world. So, in that sense, we have no communication barriers, do we?"
Tiger King clapped his hands in approval. "Well said! With emotional intelligence like that, you're bound to be the heart of Manchester United's midfield one day."
"Ah? Does that really matter?" Kanté asked, puzzled.
Tiger King nodded. "Mr. Kanté, I've just taken over as Manchester United's manager, and what I need most is the missing piece in my midfield. I've had my eye on you for a while—you're one of the rarest defensive midfielders in football today. Join me, and I'll help you unlock your full potential, win countless trophies… and sign a contract worth far more than your apartment."
As Woodward translated, he took the liberty of adding that last line. Unlike Tiger King's idealistic approach, Woodward was a pragmatist—he knew that mentioning financial security would only help tip the scales in their favor.
Tiger King and Woodward arrived in the French city of Boulogne with a clear mission—to secure the most crucial piece of Tiger King's new season lineup: N'Golo Kanté.
Tiger King assured Kanté of an important role in the squad, while Woodward sweetened the deal with a lucrative contract offer.
In truth, they had overcomplicated things. Kanté played for French side Boulogne last season. Although his performances remained as solid as ever, the team's overall weakness led to their relegation to the French third division. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Kanté had no intention of renewing with the club.
In recent days, two French clubs had expressed interest in him, with Caen being the frontrunner. In fact, had Tiger King not arrived today, Kanté was planning to visit Caen in the coming days to finalize contract details.
Since he had already decided to leave, Kanté had listed his apartment on a French real estate site, hoping to sell it before his move. That's why, when Tiger King and Woodward showed up at his door, he initially mistook them for potential buyers rather than football executives.
The moment Kanté heard the name "Manchester United," his heart started racing. On one hand, he had the option to stay in the French league, playing for a mid-table club. On the other, he could join one of the biggest teams in the world, competing in the Premier League. Was there really a decision to be made?
The conversation didn't take long. Within an hour, sitting at his modest coffee table, Kanté put pen to paper and signed the contract. Tiger King let out a deep breath, finally feeling at ease—another crucial piece of his puzzle was in place.
The three men stood up, and Kanté extended his right hand warmly. "Coach, please take care of me in the future."
But Tiger King didn't just shake his hand—he stepped forward and pulled Kanté into a firm hug. "Now that you're here, I can finally relax," he said, his voice full of satisfaction.
Kanté saw the excitement on Tiger King's face and had only one thought in his mind: I am incredibly lucky today!
As he escorted them to the door, Tiger King waved. "Kanté, you better say goodbye to this apartment soon—because once Manchester United helps promote the sale, it'll be gone in no time."
Kanté grinned. "Mr. Tiger, thank you for believing in me. I'll give my all for you."
"See you in Manchester!"
Summer Transaction Status
1. Marcos Alonso - LB - Free Transfer - Five Year Contract
2. Dele Alli - Midfielder - Free Transfer - Joined the Youth Team
3. Leroy Sane - The Next No. 7 - 800,000 Euros
4. Joshua Kimmich - Young German Defender - 1,000,000 Euros
5. Virgil van Dijk - CB - 5,000,000 Euros
6. Marco Asensio - Nimble Attacking Midfielder - 1,000,000 Euros
7. Eric Bailley - CB - 2,500,000 Euros
8. N'Golo Kanté - Defensive Midfielder - CDM - Free Transfer
Pending Transfer Budget: 39.7 Million Euros