"Congratulations, TJ. You've secured another precious victory. How do you feel after scoring the winning goal?"
"Great, absolutely great. It's like a running race. We were all sprinting in the final moments, and the result is that we were the first to cross the finish line. My heart is beating so fast right now."
Tendou, who had scored the winning goal, was undoubtedly chosen as the man of the match.
Klopp brought him to the post-match press conference.
His mood right now was just as he had said, very excited.
Whether it's basketball or football, a last-minute winner is always the moment that gets the adrenaline pumping the most.
"But you didn't win this match easily. Do you think it was due to tactical reasons or because certain players did not perform as expected?"
This question wasn't just digging a hole; it was practically trying to smash the hole over Tendou's head.
"Neither. We just played a high-level match against the German giants Bayern at the Allianz Arena not long ago. The players are now in a state of fatigue."
"So, the reason your match was so difficult was because of Klopp's personnel choices?" The reporter clearly had no intention of letting him go.
This is what reporters are like. These rats can always find a loophole in every word you say.
Even someone as cunning as Tendou was caught off guard by them.
"NO," Tendou uttered one word, then continued, "We all long to play. Because our goal is clear, we all long to win the title. Every match will be fought with all our might."
"If you really want to know the answer, perhaps it's because this is the Premier League. Here, no matter which team you face, there is no guarantee of victory."
Tendou couldn't be bothered with these guys anymore and quickly hyped up their Premier League.
Only then did the English media let him go with satisfaction.
Then, another reporter stood up to ask a question. "The president of Real Madrid, Florentino, recently publicly stated that he was amazed by your performance, believing that your talent is historic. Does this mean that after this season, you might go to Real Madrid to play?"
Old Florentino?
Tendou really didn't know about this.
However, Florentino had indeed expressed his appreciation for Tendou.
A decade has passed, and now Real Madrid is facing the problem of the next decade.
The young, handsome, and exceptionally talented new superstar, TJ, had become Florentino's favorite.
"It's always great to be recognized, especially by a club like Real Madrid. But I don't pay attention to these things. My mind is only on the league and the Champions League right now."
Tendou didn't have a "childhood Real Madrid dream." He wouldn't just run off and demand a transfer from Liverpool because Real Madrid had beckoned.
The reporter from Marca was clearly not satisfied with this answer.
Just as he was about to press further, Klopp had already taken the microphone.
"We will not answer questions that are not related to the match."
Klopp glared fiercely at the reporter.
Trying to poach a player right in front of him was even more despicable than a direct insult.
However, he was very satisfied with Tendou's attitude, and the release clause in Liverpool's contract with Tendou also gave him a sense of security.
Real Madrid wants him?
Put up two hundred million, and then we'll talk about the next step.
...
"What was the kid's reaction?"
"Very calm. He didn't seem very excited."
"Have you contacted his agent?"
"I have, but that old fox Jonathan said that TJ is very satisfied with the current environment at Liverpool and his teammates."
"What about Liverpool?"
"They have defined TJ as not for sale and have no intention of discussing it with us."
"What is the world coming to? You can't even buy an 18-year-old kid with 90 million Euros?"
In the president's office in Madrid, Florentino lamented that times were changing too fast.
In the past, they could buy Zidane for 77 million and the Ballon d'Or winner CR7 for 90 million.
But now, they couldn't even buy an 18-year-old kid.
He was very optimistic about Tendou's future, not just his talent, but also his huge potential commercial value.
As far as he knew, the chairman of BMW had already contacted Tendou's side, with a first offer of 8 million a year.
But Tendou's side had refused. BMW did not intend to give up and seemed to have already prepared a ten-million-level contract for him.
Tendou's "money" future was already beginning to show.
After all, he was only 18. As long as he wasn't injured, he could still play for at least fifteen years.
How could Florentino not be tempted by a player who was so outstanding in terms of ability, commercial value, potential, and appearance?
But now it seemed that luring this little prodigy to the Bernabéu would not be an easy task.
Tendou's contract with Liverpool was for a total of 3 years, but the release clause was as high as 200 million.
The key was that Liverpool was not willing to talk to them.
This made Florentino a little troubled.
...
The news of Real Madrid's interest in Tendou had caused quite a stir in Europe.
Who could blame them? They were Real Madrid.
Their every move could affect the hearts of the fans, especially at a time when CR7 had left and they had been eliminated in the round of 16.
For the news to break at this time that Real Madrid wanted Tendou, and that it was President Florentino who had personally named him, was a clear sign that they were aiming for a core player for the next decade!
This incident caused a lot of waves.
In the end, his agent even suggested that Tendou express his loyalty on his Instagram to allay the worries of the Liverpool fans.
The current Tendou, his status was completely different from when he first arrived.
He was considered by the Liverpool fans to be the present and the future of the team.
Latest news:
In terms of Liverpool's jersey sales, Tendou's sales had already reached the second highest in the team. His superstar charisma was already showing.
The Liverpool fans now called him Liverpool's magician and even exaggeratedly stated that every time he touched the ball, it would arouse the anticipation of all the fans.
Because the magician was performing, and the next trick could happen in the next second!
Transfermarkt also quickly updated Tendou's market value.
70 million Euros!
Although there was a big gap compared to Loki's 200 million Euros, considering his playing time, 70 million was already very high.
What's more, the year was not over yet. Liverpool still had the Champions League and the league to fight for.
If he were to win the double, his market value would have to rise another level.
In the current Transfermarkt value rankings, the French prodigy Loki was at the top with 200 million Euros.
Close behind were Bayern's Noel at 180 million and Manchester City's Prince at 160 million.
Fourth and fifth were Liverpool's two wingers, Mané and Salah, both at 150 million Euros.
With the Transfermarkt information updated, Tendou's name naturally appeared on the front pages of major European newspapers once again.
The Guardian: "18-year-old Asian genius, after 20+ appearances for Liverpool, is already worth 70 million. At the end of this season, he is expected to become another 100-million man."
Football Daily: "Crazy Transfermarkt information! Asian genius's market value reaches 70 million! The greatest transfer operation in Liverpool's history."
The Times: "70 million is definitely not TJ's final destination. In fact, we have received news that if Liverpool is willing, Real Madrid would be very happy to pay a 100 million Euro transfer fee for TJ. But Liverpool has no intention of discussing any deal regarding TJ with any club."
Tendou had completely blown up.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"