Zhao Gang had already decided where he would go next.

Manchester City, or Arsenal.

The team's record and salary were actually secondary.

The coach was the most important.

Pep Guardiola's passion and dedication to football, as well as his coaching philosophy and level, were all highly respected by Zhao Gang.

Arsène Wenger's patience and respect for young players were also what Zhao Gang yearned for.

Therefore, Zhao Gang felt honored by the invitations from both coaches.

Because of the two coaches, Zhao Gang chose Manchester City and Arsenal from all the teams.

The final choice of Manchester City was, of course, due to the club's potential and the owner's willingness to invest heavily in football.

Arsenal simply had no ambition.

If, if Manchester City didn't have Guardiola, Zhao Gang would probably have chosen Arsenal.

Because of Falke, Zhao Gang believed that the head coach was the first selection criterion, followed by the team's situation.

And Zhao Gang's selection criteria were not wrong.

Guardiola was not only a talent-loving scout, but he also gave Zhao Gang great respect.

He had originally prepared the same offer as Chelsea, 45 million pounds.

But seeing Zhao Gang's performance in the Europa League, seeing his breakthroughs, passes, shots, and seeing his influence on his teammates.

Guardiola knew that Zhao Gang was the player he needed and wanted the most!

After thinking for a while, Guardiola directly offered 70 million pounds.

This stunned Perrin at the time. He knew his younger brother too well. This guy was wholeheartedly devoted to football and would never do anything to seek personal gain or embezzle public funds, and he would never think about seeking benefits for his brother.

Since he took the initiative to speak, it proved that Zhao Gang was worth the price in his heart!

Perrin thought he would have to spend a lot of time persuading his younger brother to raise the price to 50 million pounds. He didn't even dare to say that Zhao Gang wanted to go to Manchester City and Arsenal. If he said it, given Arsenal's stingy opponent's nature, Manchester City wouldn't even need 40 million to get him.

Perrin was worthy of being a professional. Without saying a word, he directly agreed.

If someone else offered 70 million, Perrin would have to negotiate again and raise it by three or two million.

Since his younger brother proposed it, there was no need to add anything extra.

Seventy million, it was settled!

Just like Guardiola's appreciation and respect for Zhao Gang, Manchester City's owner was also full of trust in Guardiola, saying 70 million was 70 million, without the slightest hesitation.

From the owner to the coach to the players, this atmosphere of mutual trust really made Perrin very gratified and admired.

He believed that Zhao Gang would be able to fully display his energy in such a team.

These 70 million pounds would definitely not be a loss!

Norwich was happy, and Manchester City approved.

Perrin, Zhao Gang, and Guardiola were all very satisfied with this transaction.

Those who were watching the excitement were angry and furious.

This was indeed very ironic.

…

Of course, Zhao Gang would not pay attention to the words of those media and onlookers.

Just like he once said to Perrin, those who didn't care about him, strangers, would not affect him at all.

If Norwich fans were howling that Manchester City had lost a lot in this deal, he would really feel lost and even painful.

What Zhao Gang was thinking about now was what position he should be in at Manchester City.

Before, he and Guardiola had not discussed this issue in detail.

Forward?

It was possible, after all, Manchester City's only real striker was Aguero.

Therefore, although Manchester City's frontcourt was full of talent, it also seemed a bit lacking in firepower.

But if he played as a forward, he might have to switch to a two-striker tactic that Aguero and even Guardiola didn't like very much.

It's not that Guardiola didn't know how to use forwards, it's that he didn't like to use forwards.

Especially two forwards, he had never used them at all.

Midfielder?

De Bruyne and David Silva in midfield were technically outstanding, and it was too difficult to directly take their place.

And Fernandinho was a defensive midfielder, one of the few Manchester City players who could attack and defend well.

Guardiola would definitely not take him down and let Zhao Gang, who was not very good at defending, take his place.

Sterling?

This guy could indeed waste opportunities, but this guy's technical characteristics were extremely distinctive, his running position was first-class, he could easily tear through the opponent's defense, and he was the only sharp knife besides Aguero. Apart from his finishing ability not being very good, he had no shortcomings.

Moreover, Sterling's position and technical characteristics did not conflict with Zhao Gang's.

After thinking about it, Zhao Gang realized a big problem: he either played as a forward or competed with De Bruyne for the starting spot!

Because De Bruyne's position, role, and even technical characteristics were almost exactly the same as Zhao Gang's in the later stages at Norwich!

Extremely strong observation ability, able to see through the opponent's defensive weaknesses and defense changes.

That top-notch fatal pass.

"Damn..." Zhao Gang scratched his head. De Bruyne's role was really overlapping with his.

Moreover, De Bruyne's performance at Manchester City this year had already won unanimous praise, and fans and media even believed that he was the real core of Manchester City's attack.

Zhao Gang was new here, how could he compare with him?

But De Bruyne also had some shortcomings.

For example, his ability to get rid of defenders and his ability to attack fortified positions.

Because passing was his most outstanding talent and skill, he relied on it even more, constantly observing his teammates and preparing to send a fatal blow at any time.

This made him neglect to improve his ability to get rid of defenders and break through. Once he fell into the opponent's defensive trap, and he didn't send a threatening pass in the first time, his role would be greatly reduced.

And Zhao Gang's performance in the Europa League final allowed Guardiola to see the young man's ability.

He could not only pass a threatening ball, but also had the ability to fight alone in adversity!

If De Bruyne, this midfield genius, needed the cooperation of his teammates to score, then Zhao Gang, this midfield engine, was helping his teammates to score.

Zhao Gang himself had the ability to break through and attack fortified positions!

This was something De Bruyne couldn't compare to.

It was also one of the reasons why Guardiola suddenly increased the transfer fee.

In addition, De Bruyne had another weakness that was covered up by his powerful passing.

That was that his passing required the pressure and running of his teammates, and his passing pursued a risky approach, which was fatal when passed out, but also quite dangerous for Manchester City if it was intercepted.

Because his teammates had already rushed up, and there would be a considerable gap in the defense, which would allow the opponent to launch a sharp counterattack.

Moreover, once De Bruyne's state on the field fluctuated, there would be a lot of mistakes in his passing.

De Bruyne could make the team and his teammates go from good to better, but he couldn't make the team and his teammates go from mediocre to excellent.

It was normal for him to disappear in a headwind.

And Guardiola had observed Zhao Gang. Zhao Gang's character was extremely calm. If the team's situation was very good, he could take advantage of the victory to pursue and directly crush the opponent.

If the team was behind, he could also stabilize his mentality and make a comeback.

This was something that De Bruyne, and even the current Manchester City, did not have.

Once they fought a tough battle or a headwind battle, Manchester City would be a little confused.

And Zhao Gang, this young man, could stand up!

So he was worth the price.

Mentality and temperament were what Guardiola valued even more.

Guardiola had deduced that if Norwich had been 1:3 behind in the Europa League final, and Zhao Gang had been replaced by any Manchester City player, it would have been impossible to make a comeback, and there would have been no chance to even tie the game.

At that time, De Bruyne might have been staring blankly, not knowing what to do.

Guardiola even thought of something more unrealistic: if Zhao Gang was given to Belgium, it would very likely end the internal strife of the European Red Devils and make Belgium a true European powerhouse.

…

Zhao Gang didn't know about Guardiola's thoughts, but he knew that since Guardiola was willing to give him such a high transfer fee, it must be because he valued his unique characteristics, characteristics that Manchester City players did not have at the moment.

Otherwise, why would Guardiola spend so much money?

To buy a mascot?

Early in the morning, Perrin drove Zhao Gang to the Etihad Stadium.

Perrin had already rented a house for Zhao Gang in Manchester. This house was extraordinary, with a swimming pool, garden, and even a gym and training ground.

It cost thirty to forty thousand pounds a month.

"Zhao, you don't have to buy a house, but you really should buy a car and get a driver's license." Perrin was beaming. He had earned ten million pounds from Zhao Gang in this transfer window!

There were also two endorsement contracts. He was simply making a killing.

Not only Claude, but Perrin was also lamenting when he could pick up another bargain.

This thing of pies falling from the sky was real!

Zhao Gang could drive, but he didn't have a British driver's license. It wouldn't be difficult to get one, and he didn't need to spend money on classes, unlike in China, where it was so complicated.

"Well, I think so too. I should buy a luxury car to pick up girls." Luxury cars in England were top-notch even at hundreds of thousands of pounds, but in Long Country, they would cost seven or eight million to buy.

"Ah??" Perrin was stunned by Zhao Gang's words, because Zhao Gang didn't joke much, so Perrin thought Zhao Gang was telling the truth.

Perrin was frightened. He must not learn bad habits!

Dating was okay, but he couldn't be like those South American players, who were gifted but had terrible self-discipline and ruined their futures.

"Hahaha..." Zhao Gang suddenly burst out laughing, and Perrin finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Zhao, you've become much more lively since you went home. You even joke now."

Zhao Gang nodded, probably because he went home. He had resolved the biggest knot in his heart.

Perrin went all the way to the training base next to the stadium.

Zhao Gang got out of the car and walked in.

Today was Manchester City's first training session, and it was also the first time Zhao Gang officially met all the players.

When Zhao Gang followed the staff to the training ground, almost everyone's eyes were attracted to him.

Because this guy was now Manchester City's transfer king!

And he came from the English Championship, and was only eighteen years old!

And he was from Long Country, which had never produced a star player!

Some players were definitely not convinced, but because of Guardiola, no one dared to say anything on the surface.

Once Zhao Gang's performance was not very good, lower than expected, lower than this price, there would definitely be a lot of doubts.

"Hi, Zhao!!"

The first to speak was the team's main center, the star striker Aguero.

Grinning, smiling extremely sincerely.

Zhao Gang had a very good impression of him.

Not only because of his attacking and finishing ability, nor only because of his smile.

But also because Zhao Gang saw Aguero's performance when Argentina lifted the Hercules Cup and Messi was crowned king in his previous life.

This guy was a killing machine on the court, like a cold-faced killer, but in reality, he was the leader of the atmosphere group.

Not only did he steal Messi's shorts, but he also stole the fans' drums and went on stage to beat them.

He didn't play for a minute, but he went up when it was time to receive the award!

Jersey, gold medal, Hercules Cup, nothing was missing.

If you didn't know better, you would have thought he was Argentina's main core, or even the winner of the World Cup Golden Ball Award!

This personality made Zhao Gang feel very close to him.

And the reason why Aguero took the initiative to say hello was not because he had a good personality and was a jokester.

It was entirely because of Zhao Gang's performance at Norwich!

Without that strength, no matter how good Aguero's personality was, he wouldn't be able to just take the initiative to say hello to a new teammate with his status.

Aguero watched all of Zhao Gang's games against Arsenal, Manchester United, and finally Sevilla.

That kind of passing, the incredible arc, shocked him.

As a forward, he knew best how precious and rare this kind of midfielder's passing was.

Aguero was thinking that if Hilo was replaced by him, he would have beaten Manchester United so badly that they couldn't lift their heads, and would Zhao Gang still need to light up his jersey with his own strength?

Before Zhao Gang's transfer, Aguero was thinking that if Zhao Gang came, and with De Bruyne as a double midfielder passing together...

Wouldn't he be fed like a pig?

Becoming the strongest striker in Europe and breaking the Premier League goal record would be a piece of cake, right?

But Manchester City had never shown any intention of making a move.

Unexpectedly, unexpectedly, hey, happiness came too suddenly!

It was estimated that the European Golden Shoe would be his next season, and Messi would be jealous to death of him!