He paused just long enough to let the weight of his next words settle.
"Manchester City would like to sign Lukas Brandt."
The room seemed to quiet around them. Lena's coffee, forgotten now, cooled somewhere far away. She felt the shift immediately—not just a request, but an expectation. This wasn't casual interest or distant admiration. This was intent.
Txiki leaned forward slightly, hands clasped.
"We believe Lukas is a generational player. And we believe relationships matter just as much as contracts. You understand him. You understand how he thinks, how he reacts, what matters to him."
Markus watched Lena carefully, saying nothing.
"I want you," Txiki continued, "to help us make him see Manchester City as the right next step—when the time comes."
Not if.
When.
The implication hung in the air, heavy and unmistakable.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then straightened slightly in her chair.
