England.
London International Airport.
After a ten-hour flight, the plane finally touched down.
Pierre stepped out of the terminal and immediately spotted his agent waiting for him.
"Pierre!"
He quickly walked over, and Mendes took his luggage.
"The car is outside. We're heading straight to Liverpool."
Jorge Mendes, one of the most influential agents in European football, represented some of the biggest names in the sport. His most famous client was Cristiano Ronaldo, and he was also closely associated with managers like José Mourinho.
More importantly, he was a close friend of Pierre's father, a connection that led to him managing Pierre's career.
Initially, Mendes had taken Pierre under his wing as a favor. But after witnessing Pierre's meteoric rise, he saw something special—something worth investing in. Even after Barcelona terminated Pierre's contract, Mendes ensured his reputation in Europe remained intact.
"I showed Liverpool's sporting director, Michael Edwards, footage from your youth team matches and first-team training sessions," Mendes said as they drove. "They've been looking for a defensive midfielder, and when they saw how you handled Dembele and even Messi, they were very interested. Since you're a free agent, they don't have to pay a transfer fee, so they agreed right away."
Pierre was slightly surprised. "Training session footage?"
Clubs typically kept those recordings private.
Mendes grinned. "Don't underestimate your agent. I have my ways. That's why Barcelona never tried to use the media against you—I have the full footage. If the time is right, say, after you perform well at Liverpool, we can release it to boost your profile."
Pierre shook his head, amused. Mendes knew how to play the game better than anyone.
Liverpool was one of England's most storied clubs, with more Champions League titles than any other English team. However, despite their historic dominance, they had struggled in the Premier League era, often falling behind their fierce rivals, Manchester United.
That was changing under manager Jürgen Klopp. Since taking over, Klopp had gradually rebuilt the team, instilling his high-energy pressing style.
Pierre recalled that this season, Liverpool would reach the Champions League final but lose to Real Madrid, largely due to Gareth Bale's brilliance. In the league, they would finish in the top four, but they still lacked the depth needed to compete for the title.
A key reason for their inconsistency was the departure of Philippe Coutinho. In the winter transfer window, Barcelona had signed him in a record deal, weakening Liverpool's midfield.
Signing Pierre wasn't just about strengthening the squad—it was also a statement against Barcelona.
Upon arriving at Melwood, Liverpool's training ground, Mendes led Pierre into the office building, where they met Michael Edwards.
"Welcome to Melwood," Edwards greeted warmly, shaking hands with both of them before giving a brief introduction to the club's facilities and history. "Let's finalize the contract first, then I'll show you around."
Inside the conference room, Pierre met Jürgen Klopp.
"Pierre!" Klopp's enthusiasm was evident. "I've seen your video. You're exactly the kind of player we need. Welcome to the team!"
Liverpool lacked a true defensive midfielder. Their captain, Jordan Henderson, played in that role, but he was originally an attacking midfielder. Pierre's arrival would provide much-needed balance.
Mendes quickly finalized the contract—Pierre would earn £20,000 per week, along with performance-based bonuses, the maximum he could secure at this stage.
After signing, Edwards turned to him. "Pierre, what jersey number would you like? Several are available, including—"
Pierre interrupted, his voice steady. "I want the number 10 jersey."
The room fell silent for a moment. Edwards and Klopp exchanged surprised looks. Mendes, however, simply chuckled. He knew Pierre well. Like Ronaldo, Pierre had an unshakable belief in himself.
"The number 10 jersey belonged to Coutinho," Klopp said. "It represents the team's core playmaker. If you want it, you'll have to prove you deserve it."
Pierre met his gaze confidently. "If I'm asking for it, I intend to prove it."
Klopp grinned. "Good. Get changed. Show me what you can do on the pitch."
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