Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

175 – The Transfer Market

175

When including the preseason, the transfer market opens twice a year.

There’s the summer transfer market and the winter transfer market.

However, it’s misleading to think that both markets are the same.

Since the timing is different, the nature of the two markets is completely different.

In European leagues that adopt the Champions League format, the summer transfer market is the most important. This is because it’s the period when teams can plan and prepare for the entire season.

Players are not machines, so they need time to adapt.

Of course, the adaptation period varies from person to person, but generally, it takes time to adjust to a new environment, new teammates, and new opponents.

It’s like when you transfer to a new school; you need time to adapt to the new school, new friends, and new surroundings. You might become a loner, or you might make more friends. You might focus more on your studies, or you might become more distracted.

The stress of leaving a familiar environment and entering a new one is immense, and whether you adapt well is another issue.

It’s the same in football.

The summer transfer market has a preparation period, allowing new players to adapt. It’s also possible to conduct thorough research within the club to determine whether a player is truly needed and can fit in well.

The probability of a successful transfer is higher during this period.

On the other hand, what about the winter transfer market?

As it’s a mid-season transfer, it often proceeds with a sense of urgency, like ‘immediately’ or ‘hastily’, without much preparation.

In other words, it means an unplanned transfer.

Naturally, neither the club nor the player has any room for leisure, making it even more difficult.

As such, the winter transfer market is a crucial time for both clubs and players.

It’s a period that can make or break a team’s season, like a farmer’s harvest.

And during this time, the media is flooded with news and rumors.

“Newcastle United prepares to open its wallet, worth 3 billion euros!”

“Manchester United bets big on Atlético’s heart!”

“Real Madrid declares war on the transfer market after a disappointing season, fueled by anger towards Raúl Harke’s resignation!”

“Scouts from various countries search for hidden gems in South Korea, including Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Gae-tae!”

“K-League MVP Song Ga-ram receives transfer offers from multiple EPL clubs?”

“Manchester City begins a massive rebuilding process after a disappointing season!”

“(Official) Everton signs talented midfielder Hachem Dafir from Bochum for 35 million euros!”

After Barcelona’s impressive quadruple, the sports news cycle started to focus on the transfer market, filling up with various transfer rumors and speculations.

Barcelona’s achievements are one thing, but Joo Ji-tae’s performances are another.

There are more fans of other teams than Barcelona fans, and Joo Ji-tae’s excitement is limited to individual fans and Koreans. The praise for other teams’ players tends to fade away after a few days.

But as the transfer market opened, news about Barcelona started pouring in like a flood.

“This time it’s real! Barcelona, which refused to extend its contract, faces bankruptcy!”

“(Official) Barcelona quadruple hero Madu Murcia announces his retirement at 36!”

“Barcelona releases multiple first-team players as free agents due to contract expiration!”

“Shock! Portuguese ace Miguel Gómez leaves Barcelona due to contract expiration!”

“Even the captain? Barcelona captain Pablo López agrees to join Newcastle for 50 million euros!”

“Is Barcelona experiencing a Black Friday? Big clubs eye La Masia players!”

As the transfer market began, shocking news about Barcelona shook the football world.

The Barcelona board, which had been trying to extend its contract and loans until the very end, finally faced bankruptcy and implemented massive austerity measures.

The already reduced staff was cut by another 20%, and high-salary players were lost due to contract expiration.

Madu Murcia’s retirement was understandable given his age, but letting go of Miguel Gómez, who was dubbed the future of Portugal, was a painful loss.

Although he had been out of action for over two years due to a severe injury and couldn’t regain his form after his return, he was a player who created great synergy with Joo Ji-tae in the second half of the season.

The news that he had tried to extend his contract with Barcelona at a lower salary due to his long-term injury and decline in form only fueled the fans’ anger.

But this was nothing compared to the subsequent news.

The transfer of captain Pablo López.

Despite having a year left on his contract and being 32 years old, the team sold its quadruple-winning captain. The news that they might lose La Masia-born players only added to the fans’ outrage.

— “They’re crazy! They let go of Miguel Gómez, who was willing to take a pay cut, and now they’re selling the captain too? Is the board sane?”

— “If they’re going to do this, they should just sell the team! Sell everything!”

— “It’s ridiculous. They’ve been whining about not having money for years, but where did all that money go?”

— “Are we really going to go bankrupt? This time it’s serious…”

— “I’m reminded of when Leo left, and it’s bringing tears to my eyes. Please don’t do this…”

—Are you kidding me? Is this okay?

—Oh, God, Barça’s board is going to kill us.

The enraged fanbase was shocked to see the team’s core players being sold off one by one, including those who were evaluated as future stars. Their anger turned to shock and dismay.

(Official) Barça’s next-gen striker, Destiny Kosiso, reaches agreement with Dortmund』

『Is Pode DiAloma leaving too? Strong links with Juventus! But Barça remains silent?』

『(Official) José Marsá completes personal agreement with PSG! Club agreement also nears completion, with only options remaining』

『(Official) Pau Berges reaches 5-year, €47 million agreement with Tottenham』

This was the moment when Barça, which had achieved the quadruple, began to disintegrate.

* * *

It’s hard to believe, but Barça’s board isn’t stupid.

On the contrary, this board has received quite a good evaluation from football insiders.

However, no matter how capable they are, they can’t create something out of nothing. It’s impossible to recover Barça’s finances, which have been in shambles for decades, no matter who’s in charge.

Unless they bring in a Middle Eastern oil tycoon as the owner, but unfortunately, Barça is a club based on socios.

So, Barça’s board did their best to maintain the club, even if they knew it was a losing battle. Financial director Antoni Pruna’s hair was almost torn out, but the funds slipped through their fingers like sand.

The board did their best.

And in reality, they avoided the worst-case scenario.

『Barça declares they will not sell any players under any circumstances』

『Barça declares NFS for some players! Who’s on the list?』

『Barça successfully keeps Juzitai, Iker Rodriguez, Diego Almeida, and Alexis Olmedo, and finally starts recruiting』

『(Official) Barça signs Rodrigo Silvio from Juventus』

『(Official) Barça reaches agreement with KAA Gent for €7.9 million transfer of Julian Paponi』

They managed to keep the team’s core and even made some decent signings to fill the squad.

However, this was only a temporary solution.

A decent signing means good value for money. But Barça should aim higher than that.

Juzitai, who was enjoying a leisurely vacation in Korea, sensed that it was time to speak up.

“There are many clubs approaching, but it seems like Barça has no intention of letting me go… and the board is out of their minds.”

It’s not just the board.

The fans are also out of their minds.

The fans, who were shocked and frightened beyond anger, were already protesting across Catalonia.

“What’s the point? Are they going to make money by protesting?”

Of course, that won’t solve Barça’s financial problems.

Looking at the situation, it’s a mess. A complete mess.

At times like this, it’s pointless to try to make a fuss… but it’s okay if it’s reasonable, if it’s reasonable.