Chapter 338: If We Offer the Highest Salary in Football, How Will Real Madrid Respond?
Li Ang couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.
He didn't suspect that Florentino Pérez had deliberately leaked the transfer rumors after being rejected—Real Madrid's executives weren't usually that petty. More likely than not, Marca had gotten the scoop from one of their informants inside the club.
Back when Mourinho coached at Real, he was constantly fuming about internal leaks to Marca or AS. The two major Madrid papers had always been driven by traffic and hype—they didn't care what the club was actually going through.
And now, with the news of Real Madrid's interest in bringing Li Ang back making global headlines, the story had once again blown up across the football world.
Li Ang, caught in this sudden media storm, hadn't even had time to explain things to Chelsea's coaching staff or executives before his phone started ringing off the hook.
"Is this really just Real Madrid acting on their own? Be honest with me, Li Ang. What do you want?"
"I'm not blaming you, no matter your decision. I just want the truth."
Mourinho, after hearing Li Ang's side of the story, didn't let it go. He asked directly—cutting straight to the point.
After all, this was Real Madrid. Yes, there were current players in Europe who didn't care for Los Blancos, but they were extremely rare.
And for Li Ang, this was his boyhood club.
Now that he had proven himself at Chelsea, if Florentino was really ready to make him the team's centerpiece, to hand him the No. 1 role and top salary… could he resist?
If Mourinho were in his shoes, he'd at least think about it.
He remembered how even he, after achieving greatness at Inter, was still swayed by Florentino's call.
So this wasn't a casual conversation—it was a real question.
And their relationship was close enough that Mourinho could ask it directly, without dancing around.
Li Ang took a breath.
"To be honest, boss… Real Madrid holds a special place in my heart.
I can't predict the future. Like you once told me, anything can happen in the transfer market.
But this summer—my answer is clear.
I'm staying at Chelsea. We've got unfinished business.
I'm not leaving now, not after everything we've built together. You know me, and you can trust me."
Li Ang's response was sincere and firm.
He wasn't playing games. He meant every word.
On the other end of the line, Mourinho finally exhaled—long and deep.
He was more than satisfied with Li Ang's honesty.
They spoke a bit more, and then ended the call.
But just moments later, Roman Abramovich himself was on the line.
"Hello, Mr. Chairman…"
Li Ang's personal relationship with Abramovich wasn't as close as the one he had with Mourinho.
But over the past two years, Abramovich had treated him very well. The two were at least friendly acquaintances.
After a few pleasantries, Abramovich also cut to the chase—asking Li Ang for his thoughts on Real Madrid's approach.
Once again, Li Ang patiently explained everything.
And once Abramovich received the confirmation he needed, he immediately ordered the club's PR team to push back hard.
Real Madrid had made no official statements—no denial, no clarification.
Chelsea, meanwhile, put out several press releases and enlisted their favored media outlets to run supportive stories.
But the harder Chelsea tried to clarify, the more neutral fans began to suspect that something was indeed going on.
After all, the modern transfer market was a circus of half-truths.
When a global superstar is involved, there's always a swirl of rumors—some true, some planted.
Seeing the firestorm refuse to die down, Li Ang finally stepped up.
He posted on his personal social media:
He had never spoken to Real Madrid about a return.
He was focused solely on preparing for the new Premier League season.
That post calmed Chelsea fans.
They trusted his character.
But in Madrid, thousands of Real supporters were still bombarding the club's official accounts—demanding confirmation that their "Little Lion" was coming home.
At this point, the saga was nearing its conclusion.
Li Ang repeated his promise to his teammates:
He was not leaving Chelsea this summer.
Only after that did the team atmosphere finally settle.
Veterans and new faces alike turned their focus toward the upcoming preseason trip to the U.S.
But just as peace was returning to Cobham, another transfer bombshell hit—this time, not from Madrid.
This time, the source was Paris Saint-Germain.
Yes. PSG publicly declared their intent to sign Li Ang.
Li Ang was dumbfounded.
He had just spent the past few days defusing the Real Madrid situation, only for PSG to throw him back into the eye of the storm.
Was it because Nasser Al-Khelaifi saw the Real Madrid rumors and assumed Li Ang was genuinely considering a move?
Frustrated, Li Ang called Mendes and asked him to make things clear:
He would absolutely be staying at Chelsea this summer.
But Mendes' reply only made him laugh in disbelief.
"Nasser asked me to pass along his apologies. He really thought you were planning to leave.
He also asked me to tell you—if you ever want a new challenge, PSG will always be open to you.
They'll make an offer that reflects your true worth and build a Champions League-contending team around you."
Well then…
Li Ang couldn't help but be amused by PSG's "sincerity."
Back when he left Real Madrid, PSG had also made a huge offer.
Ibrahimović once told him that Nasser was ready to trigger his release clause and open talks immediately.
But PSG's other executives had decided not to act in haste—so Chelsea got there first.
Whether that story was true or not, Li Ang didn't know. Even Ibra had only heard it.
But one thing was clear:
Li Ang had become the most coveted player in world football.
At this point, it was clear: Paris Saint-Germain was absolutely serious. The moment they sensed even a ripple in the water, they leapt in with a fresh offer.
But unfortunately for PSG, Li Ang had no interest in becoming "Director Li" in Paris on the highest salary in football.
All he could do was quietly say sorry to Nasser in his heart…
July 20th, Li Ang boarded a flight to New York with the Chelsea squad.
With several veterans having departed, Chelsea had only officially signed one major player this summer—Luis Suárez.
Aside from promoting Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kurt Zouma from the reserves, the rest of the incoming transfers were still being negotiated.
For now, Chelsea's first-team roster was relatively slim, certainly not as stacked as last season.
Once they arrived at the temporary training base in the U.S., the squad quickly resumed work, refining their adjusted starting XI and tactical tweaks.
Compared to last season, there would be changes in both the forward line and the defense.
Most significantly—the center forward role.
With Ibrahimović gone to AC Milan, the newly arrived Suárez naturally slotted in as Chelsea's starting striker.
In defense, John Terry had voluntarily stepped aside. Mourinho made the call to promote Harry Maguire into the starting lineup.
Terry had been rock-solid last season. He and Thiago Silva had formed a central defense partnership that gave headaches to attackers across England and Europe.
Physically, Terry was still fine. He could've kept his place. Mourinho hadn't wanted to bench him at all.
But it was Terry who suggested that the time had come to give Maguire a run—see how he would pair with Silva.
Terry was nearing 35 at the start of the new season.
Despite Chelsea's diligent squad rotation across four competitions, Terry had felt the fatigue by season's end.
Playing as a deep-lying, heavy-hitting center-back in the Premier League was physically demanding.
He was still holding up—for now—but the decline, when it came, would be sudden and sharp. Just look at Vidic.
Only a year younger than Terry, Vidic had still played well in his last season at United.
But after moving to Inter, unable to adjust to Serie A's pace and struggling with form, he ended up benched—a fading shadow of his former self.
Terry had fulfilled his Champions League dream with Chelsea. Rather than risk tarnishing his legacy, he preferred to step back gracefully.
Remaining as a substitute, contributing from the bench—that was a wise and dignified move.
Of course, Maguire now had to prove he could seize the opportunity.
Otherwise, Gary Cahill—still gunning for a starting return—was ready and waiting.
At Chelsea, starters had to earn it. The club was aiming for a third straight Premier League title, and only the best would play.
Maguire had worked hard during training, slimming down to increase agility.
But Li Ang could see he was still nervous. He made sure to encourage him whenever possible.
In contrast, Suárez, who had just joined the team and already locked down a starting role, radiated confidence.
He wasn't a traditional target man.
But with greater mobility and work rate than Ibrahimović, he fit the mold of the modern center forward better.
He could still be a focal point up front—not quite as dominant as Ibra post-transition, but certainly good enough.
His sharp finishing and technical versatility were on full display in training.
And with Chelsea's stacked midfield behind him, there'd be no talk of "lack of service" like there had been at Liverpool.
July 23rd, Chelsea traveled to Red Bull Arena in New Jersey for a preseason friendly against New York Red Bulls.
The reigning European champions were star-studded, and their appearance drew huge cheers from local fans.
Of course, Chelsea's good looks didn't hurt either.
When the broadcast cameras zoomed in during the pre-match lineup on Li Ang and Kroos standing side by side, the crowd erupted in screams.
This match was meant to test attacking chemistry, especially up front.
From the first whistle, Chelsea pushed high and pressed hard, launching wave after wave at the Red Bulls.
Li Ang and Kroos were practically camped outside the opposition box, orchestrating the attack.
Suárez? He had a field day finishing the chances.
In just 30 minutes, the two teams combined for four goals.
Suárez bagged a brace, Li Ang scored a long-range banger, and although Chelsea conceded on the break, their offensive rhythm was flowing beautifully.
In the second half, Suárez completed his hat trick in the 53rd minute. Mourinho immediately subbed him out for Lukaku.
The team also made wholesale changes—Aké, Kalas, Salah, even Zouma and Loftus-Cheek all got a run.
Chelsea secured their first preseason win in the U.S., beating the Red Bulls 6–3.
The match met all their objectives: it tested attacking patterns, delivered entertainment, and still gave the hosts something to cheer about.
Suárez didn't disappoint.
He needed just 50 minutes to score a hat trick, meeting Chelsea fans' expectations with lethal efficiency.
Li Ang ended the match with a goal and an assist, though he only played the first half. A standard showing.
After returning to the team hotel, Li Ang and Mendes met with Chelsea's contract negotiation team.
This meeting wasn't something Li Ang had requested.
It was initiated by the club.
Abramovich had made it clear—he was determined to extend Li Ang's contract.
And now he had a question:
If Chelsea offered Li Ang the highest salary in football…
How would Real Madrid respond?
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