Anyone who loved Argentine football had probably admired Rodrigo Palacio, or at least heard of him. Fans of the Football Manager series would remember him especially well, as he was once one of those exceptional young talents everyone competed to sign at the start of a new save.
Pace, technique, crossing, finishing, and versatility, Palacio possessed every quality expected of an outstanding prospect. Most importantly, his work rate and professionalism were equally impressive, ensuring that he could consistently fulfil his potential. He was also an extremely loyal player.
In reality, Palacio never became quite as famous as he did in the game, but he was still a household name in Argentina. During his years at Boca Juniors in particular, he became a new idol for Argentine supporters. Some believed he could become the next Caniggia because he played with the same flair and was also a regular member of the national team.
Ethan had once been a great admirer of Palacio and always enjoyed signing him in the game. However, after moving to Italy, Palacio gradually faded from the spotlight, much like Cavenaghi after his transfer to the bitterly cold Russian league.
In Ethan's opinion, a player like Palacio should have moved to Spain, a paradise for technically gifted footballers. Italy's tightly organized defenses seemed more likely to wear away his flair.
Now, however, Ethan no longer believed that.
After watching Messi's development over the previous two years, he felt that if Palacio moved to England before his style had fully developed and learned to adapt to English football, he could eventually gain the qualities needed to dominate European football.
Moreover, after selling Krzynówek and losing Richie Wellens and Darren Lyons, New Manchester United needed reinforcements on both flanks. With Žigić also leaving, the attack required strengthening as well. Palacio could play both out wide and through the middle, making him Ethan's ideal target.
More importantly, Palacio had a viable route to a work permit.
Negotiations with Bella Vista were almost effortless. Ethan offered £30,000, and the heavyset owner, who was nearly as round as Maradona and even shared his first name, accepted without a second thought.
Two years later, after Palacio had made a name for himself at Bella Vista, his transfer to Huracán would cost only $60,000. Ethan was now offering £30,000, worth more than $50,000, so Bella Vista were receiving an excellent price.
Of course, the deal represented even greater value for Ethan because he knew exactly how Palacio's future would unfold, just as he had never doubted Messi's potential.
Once Palacio's transfer fee had been agreed, Diego enthusiastically began introducing the rest of the squad. He praised every player so highly that it almost seemed as though he had placed price tags on all of them and lined them up for sale.
Ethan did not recognize any of their names, so he paid little attention. He remained polite for a while before asking Palacio to take him to meet his father.
Since Palacio did not have an agent, his contract would have to be discussed with his father.
On the way to the family home, Ethan explained New Manchester United's situation to Palacio, focusing especially on Messi and his family. Palacio immediately became envious and asked whether his own family could move with him if he joined the club.
Ethan considered it and saw no reason why not. When he learned that Palacio's father was a youth coach at an Argentine second-division club, he agreed immediately. New Manchester United's academy was already struggling with a shortage of coaches.
Palacio's father was a stern, powerfully built middle-aged man. Looking at him now, it was difficult to imagine that he had once been known for his technical ability as a footballer. He currently coached young players in the academy at Olimpo, teaching them the basic skills of the game.
"New Manchester United have just been promoted to League Two. Are you familiar with the English fourth tier?" Ethan asked with a smile.
He did not expect Palacio's father, living so far away in Argentina, to have heard of the club.
"We are a professional club officially registered with The FA. You are welcome to contact England and verify everything I've told you," Ethan explained carefully. He disliked being misunderstood.
"Then, Mr. Yu, where did you hear about Rodrigo? And why do you believe he is the player your club needs?" Palacio's father asked cautiously.
Ethan already had an explanation prepared. In fact, it was a method that had served him well over the previous two years.
"I operate several internet companies in the United States, so I have an extensive network of contacts online. Someone, whether he lives nearby or was merely visiting, thought Rodrigo was an outstanding player and uploaded footage of one of his matches to one of my websites. I was impressed when I watched it, so I sent a scout to follow his progress."
The moment he heard this, Palacio exclaimed, "I knew it, Dad! I told you someone had been secretly filming me during matches. It looks like I was right!"
Ethan was even more surprised than Palacio, but his expression remained calm. He suspected the person had probably been a part-time scout working for another Argentine club.
However, Palacio's claim made Ethan's explanation far more convincing. At the very least, his father no longer appeared suspicious.
"I understand that you are a youth coach, Mr. Palacio?" Ethan asked with a smile.
"Yes. I work at Olimpo and am responsible for one of the youth teams."
"That's excellent!" Ethan smiled broadly. "My club is currently searching for youth coaches. We have already established teams at several age levels, but we are seriously short of coaching staff. Should you be interested, you could join New Manchester United as well."
By signing both father and son, Ethan would solve two problems at once. He privately felt that the trip had already been worthwhile.
"I have no objection. Rodrigo is the important one. I need to know whether he will receive playing time at your club."
"Of course. I would not travel all the way to Argentina for a player I had no intention of using, Mr. Palacio. Besides, I'm paying £30,000 for Rodrigo, which is a significant sum for our club," Ethan said, slightly exaggerating the financial burden.
After selling Krzynówek and Žigić for a combined £1.35 million, as well as receiving John Terry, Ethan had plenty of money available. Even so, he had no intention of spending recklessly. There was little value in throwing enormous sums around in the lower divisions.
In fact, even in the Premier League, could money alone truly buy the status of a great club?
A great club required history. Even with the standards lowered, it still needed achievements recognized throughout European football.
Money alone could not create greatness. Spending without foundations merely created the image of a wealthy newcomer. In a sport built on tradition, a club could only become truly great after earning the recognition of others.
And Ethan's ultimate ambition was to make New Manchester United one of football's great clubs.
"However, there is one issue that may prove troublesome," Ethan said after they had discussed several other matters.
"I understand that your father was Spanish before emigrating to Argentina, Mr. Palacio. Do you have documents proving that?"
Palacio's father frowned and looked around the room, apparently trying to remember where such papers might be kept.
"To play professionally in England, Rodrigo would need a work permit. Under the regulations, a player generally needs to have appeared in seventy-five percent of his national team's matches over the previous two years. Rodrigo obviously does not meet that requirement, so we need another solution, such as obtaining citizenship from a European Union country."
The same problem applied to Palacio's father. He would also require a work permit to coach in England, but Spanish citizenship would remove that obstacle.
"I believe I can prove it. My father has kept all the documents from his life in Spain. I should be able to obtain Spanish citizenship through him, and Rodrigo could then qualify for a second nationality through me."
Ethan smiled and clenched his fist.
"That's excellent, Mr. Palacio. Here is what we'll do. I'll ask my colleague in Manchester to send the contract tomorrow. I'll first sign you as a youth coach and pay six months of your salary in advance. You can use the money to arrange Spanish citizenship for your family. Once everything is complete, I'll send someone to bring you to Manchester."
Palacio's father immediately understood that Ethan had noticed the family's financial difficulties and knew they could not afford the process themselves. Applying for Spanish citizenship would require professional assistance, paperwork, and travel, all of which cost money.
Although Olimpo were a professional club in Argentina's second tier, they had failed to pay their staff for several months. Palacio's family genuinely could not afford the expense. Ethan had clearly recognized this, which was why he had offered to pay the salary in advance.
The gesture left Palacio's father deeply grateful and increased his trust in Ethan. He immediately agreed that both he and his son would join New Manchester United, then began searching for someone who could help arrange their Spanish citizenship.
The following day, Ethan called Manchester and instructed Walsh to fax a youth coaching contract to Argentina. Ethan signed the agreement with Palacio's father that same day and promptly paid him six months of salary in advance, telling him to complete the citizenship process as quickly as possible.
Palacio's father solemnly promised that Rodrigo would be ready in time for New Manchester United's preseason training camp.
Once everything had been settled, Ethan stayed in Bahía Blanca for one more day before flying to Brazil.
This time, he intended to meet someone he had wanted to see for years.
Someone who could even be called his idol.
(To be continued.)