Rise of a Football God

"Fulham and Villareal's contract offer are basically the same with very little differences, that is why I left both for last".

Mr. Moses opened his document again, opening to the page where the familiar emblem of the Spanish club was drawn.

"The only thing separating both clubs is that Villareal are willing to show their determination to get your signature by sending their delegates to meet us here in Nigeria to discuss the contract terms physically".

"As for their offer, Villareal is offering you a weekly salary of 25,000 Euros and a signing bonus of 2,000,000 Euros on a 3 years contract with an extension clause".

"Considering how determined they are to get your signature, even sending delegates here to Nigeria, I think I can wriggle around them and negotiate the salary to 30,000 Euros a week".

And finally, he opened to the last pages of the document.

"Just like Villareal, Fulham is offering you a weekly salary of 25,000 Euros and a signing bonus of 2,000,000 Euros on a 3 years contract with an extension clause".

"Compared to Villareal though, one of their bargaining chips is the presence of a familiar face in their team," Mr. Moses smiled at his son.

Sam completed his sentence for him. "Alex Iwobi".

"Yes," Mr. Moses nodded. "They went to all the trouble of specifically mentioning his name. They're giving you a chance to play with a veteran Nigerian international who also plays in their team in the midfield".

"Besides, another bargaining chip in their favor is the hype and publicity around the English premier league".

"They know how inviting the league is to foreign players due to the publicity around it, and they're banking on that to help them outbid other clubs".

Mr. Moses looked at his son. "So, what do you think?"

Sam did not answer immediately. Rather, he stood up and walked to his window, looking down at the boisterous street outside.

Stay connected with empire

A few seconds later, he looked back at his father and asked. "Dad, I need advice, what is your advice?"

Mr. Moses cleared his throat. "Son, it's your career, I can't dictate it for you, you know what's best for you but I'll start by asking you a question".

He looked Sam in the eye. "What are you playing football for? What do you want? Is it money or do you want to leave a mark in football?"

"…" Sam could not answer immediately.

Mr. Moses took a deep breath. "Ok, let me make it easier for you. Do you play football to make as much money as you can and retire rich, or do you want to be a legend whose story is forever imprinted in the history of football?"

This time, Sam answered immediately. "I want to be a legend".

But then, he looked at his father. "Don't get me wrong dad, I'm not a saint. I can't say I don't want money but I'm not greedy, I'm satisfied with what all 4 clubs are offering me as a salary".

"If I was maybe Kylian Mbappe and I received the kind of offer he got from PSG, maybe I'll hesitate," he chuckled. "But not with this".

He looked outside through the window again. "I want to enjoy football, I want to play to my heart's content, I want to enjoy iconic champions league nights, I want to life trophies," he looked at his father again. "I want to be a legend".

Mr. Moses smiled. "So?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Sam smiled back at his father. "Since FC Barcelona is not yet noticing my shine," he grinned. "It only means I've not done enough yet".

"Dad, I want to do so much that no club in the world can afford to overlook me, and I think the best way to do this is going to the premier league".

Sam looked outside through the window again, his eyes turning dreamy. "When Lille's offer first came months ago, I was hyped, already envisioning myself playing for them already at some point but now, everything has changed".

"I have more options now, better options, a better league".

"In the premier league, there is tough competition with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all elite sides".

"If I can play with a league with all these elite clubs and shine even with a mid-table team," he smiled. "Then, I don't think even Barca can ignore me anymore".

He looked at his father one more time. "Dad, that is what I want".

Mr. Moses smiled again. "Wayum wayum bi jegedi," he muttered.

"Yeah," Sam nodded. "Wayum wayum bi jegedi".

"It's settled then," Mr. Moses finally stood up, folding his documents. "But they don't have to know yet".

"Huh?" Sam looked at his dad.

Mr. Moses grinned like a shrewd businessman. "Like I told you, with your current star power, 25,000 Euros is a bit too small for you".

"I will try to negotiate for higher, at least 30,000 Euros per week".

"And the key to doing this is to play hard to get".

"Really?" Sam asked, skeptical.

"Yes, trust your dad". Mr. Moses said confidently. "In 2 days, I will meet with the delegates from Lille and give them unreasonable demands".

"A day later, I will also meet with the delegates from Wolfsburg and do the same thing with them. They can't meet my demands, so they'll back out but the act of meeting them alone will make Fulham desperate if they really want you".

"Then, they should readily agree to meet my demands".

"Are you sure?"

"Trust me".

Well, his dad said to trust him and that was what Sam did, focusing on relaxing to recover at home with family and his best friend even as his dad became busy with the contract talks.

And in a few days, it was Christmas.

Just like last year, Coach James already arranged a game between his club, Black Hearts FC and D'Tigres again, another Christmas game.

This time, Sam and his best friend went to the pitch in the Delta State University, Abraka to watch as spectators.

After an exciting display, Black Hearts FC managed to win the game for the second consecutive year 2-1.

Sam celebrated excitedly with his old teammates.

The victory capped off a memorable Christmas day celebration for him.

A few more days later, Mr. Moses finally concluded the contract talks. Delegates from Fulham would enter Nigeria the next day for the contract signing.