Sure enough, it was just as Kyle had predicted.
The next day, media outlets and newspapers across the UK published articles about Kyle's intention to acquire Manchester United, all of them front-page headlines.
Especially when Kyle personally met with the chairman of Manchester United that morning, countless media outlets went wild.
"Headline! If this isn't a headline, then what is?!" Mitchell, a freelance reporter for The Sun, excitedly jumped up and down after snapping a photo.
At this critical juncture, whoever got the first photo would win in terms of sales!
Reporter Mitchell was naturally thrilled. After taking the photos, he immediately called a representative from The Sun.
"Eddie, it's Mitchell!"
"News, of course it's big news! American entertainment mogul Kyle meeting the chairman of Manchester United, isn't that big news? Yes, right before my eyes."
"Photos? Of course I have them!"
"But how much can you give me? Buddy, even though I'm just a freelance reporter, I have my principles. Don't even think about bribing me with 1,000 pounds and tarnishing my professional ethics!"
"No, no, no, I think 3,000 pounds is more in line with my price."
"If you're not willing, then forget it. I'll contact Old Hodford from The Mirror or Pierno from Edinburgh... Hahaha, you're smart, Eddie. This is big news!"
...
Half an hour later.
Kyle concluded his conversation with the chairman of Manchester United and, surrounded by bodyguards, boarded a car and quickly left the area.
"Alexander, later, on my behalf, arrange a meeting with Mr. Thurman of the FA to gauge their attitude," Kyle said in the car.
"Understood, boss," Alexander replied.
To acquire a Premier League team, or even a Championship or League One team, the FA is absolutely unavoidable.
For example, when acquiring an NBA team, the NBA official league has the right to halt the transaction at any time.
Therefore, if Kyle wanted to acquire Manchester United, he had to first understand the FA's stance. Otherwise, even if Kyle and Manchester United's shareholders reached a deal, the transaction would be declared invalid if the FA objected.
In 2003, when Russian billionaire Abramovich acquired Chelsea, it took three years. While opposition from fan groups was a factor, the FA's procrastination was also key.
"I don't want the deal to fail because of the FA!"
Upon returning to the hotel, Kyle's acquisition team comprehensively presented the acquisition plan and details to Kyle.
Money, of course, was the most crucial factor!
"Bo...oss, in the 97-98 season, Arsenal won the Premier League. Even so, Manchester United's market value is the highest among all Premier League clubs," said senior lawyer Paul goodman.
Kyle waved his hand: "Just tell me how much it will cost?"
"4.6 billion pounds!"
Upon hearing this, even though Kyle had an estimate, he couldn't help but gasp.
"That's a lot!"
It's worth noting that apart from Premier League giants like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool, the market value of an ordinary Premier League team in '98 was only around 100 million pounds.
In 2003, Abramovich acquired Chelsea for only 230 million pounds, of which 80 million pounds were used to repay the team's debts, meaning the actual cost of purchasing Chelsea was only 150 million pounds.
Teams at the bottom of the Premier League, like Coventry and Southampton, had even lower market values, at most 70 million pounds.
Manchester United's price tag was far, far higher than that of ordinary Premier League teams.
"Boss, we don't have that much cash reserves, but we can definitely use financing and leveraged buyout methods to complete the acquisition of Manchester United," Paul goodman suggested.
Kyle nodded, indicating he understood.
In fact, in 2007, the American Glazer family used financing and leveraged buyouts to leverage the financial market with 100 million US dollars, completing the acquisition of Manchester United.
Of course, this financial method has its pros and cons!
The advantage is low upfront capital expenditure;
The disadvantages are also obvious: huge annual debt repayment;
In 2007, after the Glazer family acquired Manchester United, the funds Manchester United allocated for transfer fees decreased year by year, leading to a significant drop in its attractiveness to star players, falling far behind the two major Spanish giants. This also directly influenced Cristiano Ronaldo's departure later on.
To put it bluntly, it was all about money!
Is Kyle rich?
Of course, he is very rich!
However, Kyle couldn't use all of Golden Dawn Entertainment Group's liquid assets and his personal savings to purchase Manchester United. This would have an extremely negative impact on the group's operations for the next few years.
—Leveraged buyout!
Kyle didn't rule out using this method!
After all, it's just a financial method, and it doesn't violate laws or ethics.
...
In the following days, Kyle met with FA executives several times, discussing his development plans for Manchester United after the acquisition.
However, the results were not ideal!
At least 60% of the FA's senior officials held clear opposing views.
FA Secretary-General Dotian: "I don't deny that Kyle Page is excellent. In just over two years, he has amassed such astonishing wealth, and no one can say he's incapable. But football is football, and on this point, I cannot trust him."
Tommy Levansky, Vice President of the FA Executive Committee, also expressed opposition.
"Kyle Page is simply too young, and his past resume doesn't prove that he would necessarily be a qualified club chairman."
Well, most of the senior officials were against it.
Even the British Royal Family's representative on the FA strongly opposed it!
"Manchester United is the most valuable team in the Premier League, one of the most famous football clubs in the world. It is a symbol and pride of British football. I dread to think what a terrible situation it would be if it were handed over to a young man!"
"Of course, it might become even more glorious, but it's more likely to fall into decline, even death!"
"Friends, this is a gamble we cannot afford to take!"
Thus, the FA's first voting meeting on Kyle's acquisition of Manchester United concluded with 72% of the votes against it.
Privately, some senior FA officials even scoffed at Kyle, referring to him as a "young upstart."
"Damn it!"
Kyle was somewhat indignant!
He had been humiliated!
The FA is notoriously inefficient across Europe, often with votes dragging on for a long time, even up to two years. Yet, when it came to Kyle, the vote was concluded in just a few days!
Unusually swift and decisive.
What was this for?!
"They're going too far!" Kyle was truly furious.