Two days later, Nyon, Switzerland, hosted the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw ceremony. In the conference room at the Hoffenheim Training Base, the coaching staff and players sat around a screen, watching the live draw. The atmosphere was so quiet that one could hear breathing. Oliver sat in the front row, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee; he was also very nervous. When the slip of paper with "Hoffenheim" on it was drawn and paired with "Porto," a small cheer and applause erupted in the conference room.
Assistant coach Kramer slammed the table, "A good draw! A really good draw!"
Head coach Nagelsmann also showed a rare relaxed smile, turning to his assistant coach beside him and saying, "Porto is experienced but not invincible. For our young lads playing in the knockout stage for the first time, this is definitely an ideal opponent. We still have a chance."
The players also breathed a sigh of relief. For this young Hoffenheim team, making their debut in the Champions League knockout stage, avoiding traditional top giants and drawing Porto, another strong team from the second pot, was indeed a favorable outcome. Although the pressure remained, Hoffenheim at least gained some hope on their Champions League advancement path. However, as the winter transfer window approached, a new war began: the transfer war.
Almost as soon as the Champions League draw results were finalized, Hoffenheim's transfer department, as well as Jules in the UK, were inundated with calls and faxes from all directions. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus…
Behind each resounding name were scouts, sporting directors, and even club presidents themselves, representing the highest power in European football, making inquiries and probes. The core topic for these giant clubs was only one: [The transfer possibility and initial offer for Hoffenheim's No. 17 player, Oliver]. Confidential initial offer sheets were sent to the desks of Chairman Hopp and Sporting Director Rosen.
It is well known that due due to UEFA rules, Oliver had already played for Hoffenheim in the Champions League group stage. Therefore, even if Oliver transferred in the winter window, he would not be able to represent his new club in the remaining Champions League matches this season, but this did not deter the giant clubs' determination to plan ahead and secure him. They valued this 17-year-old dual top scorer's present, but even more so his visible and limitless future potential. Even if the price was agreed upon in the winter window, the official signing could still take place in the summer window.
Among these clubs, Manchester City's offer was the most aggressive, directly throwing out a staggering 150 million Euro bid, like a bombshell that made Director Rosen's head spin. Before the 2017-2018 season, 150 million Euro could buy more than half of Hoffenheim. Bayern and Real Madrid followed closely, with offers exceeding 120 million Euro. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Barcelona's exploratory bids also approached or even crossed the 100 million Euro threshold. Juve from Serie A was relatively cautious, but the terms offered were also extremely generous.
Facing these astronomical figures, which could instantly change the club's financial situation, Hoffenheim's decision-makers felt unprecedented pressure and temptation. A transfer fee of 100 million Euro was dreamlike for Hoffenheim, something the club had never seen in its history. After several days of closed-door internal discussions, Hoffenheim Chairman Hopp realized that this had gone beyond mere economics and required listening to the person at the center of the storm. Thus, a high-level internal meeting was held in the administrative conference room of the Hoffenheim Training Base.
Chairman Hopp, Sporting Director Rosen, Technical Director, Financial Director, and other club executives were all present. Head coach Nagelsmann sat to Hopp's right, and Oliver sat beside Nagelsmann. The special participant in the meeting was Jules, the agent, who joined via video link on a large screen. To accommodate Jules, who was not fluent in German, the entire meeting was conducted in English. The meeting began.
Chairman Hopp got straight to the point: "Oliver, and Mr. Thorne, I invited you here today to have an honest discussion about the current situation. I'm sure you are aware of the rumors and offers from outside. The winter window is about to open. Although rules restrict Oliver from playing for a new club in the Champions League, this does not affect our discussion of his future transfer direction and specific timing. The club's stance is open, and respecting the player's personal wishes is a core principle. Of course, we also need to consider what is most beneficial for the club's development. First, I'd like to ask Mr. Nagelsmann to share his thoughts."
Nagelsmann, already confident, said, "As Ollie's head coach, I can responsibly say that those numbers are large, but for him, I don't think they are enough."
This statement surprised several executives present. Nagelsmann gave a more substantial reason: "He is only 17 years old, and his performance in less than half a season is phenomenal. You see the data; I see the potential. His learning ability, football intelligence, and that calmness beyond his age are inestimable assets. Selling him now is 'cashing in,' but definitely not 'premium.' The Champions League knockout stage has just begun, and the second half of the League championship is entering a more intense period of competition."
Nagelsmann glanced at his beloved protégé beside him and continued, "If he can continue this performance, especially on a bigger stage, his value will explode again in the summer. Selling our core asset too early and at a low price, I believe, is a strategic mistake."
Nagelsmann's view was extremely clear: [Withstand the pressure, wait until the summer window. Maximizing club interests is secondary; he believed even more that Oliver could create greater value on a bigger stage.]
Then, everyone looked at Jules on the screen; it was his turn to speak. On the screen, Jules listened to Nagelsmann's speech, nodded seriously, and said, "First of all, on behalf of Oliver, I thank Hoffenheim for their unreserved nurturing and trust in him. This will always be the place where his professional career took off. Regarding the transfer, my view partially aligns with Coach Nagelsmann's; a summer window transfer is indeed more ideal. As his father and agent, my primary responsibility is to protect Oliver's long-term development, not only on the competitive level but also in terms of life and future planning. Oliver submitted his predicted grades to Imperial College London in mid-October. He hopes to continue balancing high-level professional football with a prestigious university education. This is not easy. He and I have discussed this issue in depth several times, and he wants to choose a club that can understand and support his special needs."
Jules paused, his gaze sweeping over those present. He was about to announce Oliver's intentions, and he looked at Oliver. Oliver nodded at his father. Jules then continued: "Considering academic resources, club stability, future development path, and playing style, if he chooses to transfer in the summer window, my son prefers a Premier League club. Especially considering academic commuting and familiarity with the London environment, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham would be relatively pragmatic choices."
As his words fell, all eyes in the conference room focused on Oliver. Hopp spoke gently to Oliver, "Ollie, you are the protagonist today. Your thoughts are the most important. Setting aside all external conditions, what are your inner thoughts? What is your vision for the future?"
Oliver straightened up, his eyes clear and calm. His statement showed no trace of the excitement or vanity common in young people; instead, it carried a clarity beyond his age: "Thank you to the club, thank you to the coach, thank you to all the gentlemen. Regarding the transfer, the first thing I want to say is, I don't have any so-called 'giant club dream.'"
This statement brought complete silence to the conference room. Oliver continued: "I'm not saying Real Madrid, Barça, Bayern, Manchester United are not good; they are excellent. They are all top clubs in their respective Leagues, with glorious histories and dazzling legends. There are too many legends in these clubs: Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, Beckham, Ribéry, Robben, and even Beckenbauer. These superstars all created insurmountable peaks there. Especially Real Madrid this season, they have already achieved two consecutive Champions League titles and are aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive title. I am not the kind of person who needs to join the strongest team to prove myself. I certainly don't want to be told that I chose to join those clubs because I craved championships. I am never afraid of challenges. What I want to challenge is to create a new history named after myself, not to live under an already existing glorious history."
Oliver expressed his true thoughts: "I want to go to a club that has huge potential, yearns for breakthroughs, yearns to regain honor or establish new glory, but has not yet won the highest European honor. I want to be the one who helps them reach the top of Europe, and at the same time, I want to create my own legendary story. I want to be the one who provides help in times of need, not the one who adds icing to the cake."
"Therefore," Oliver's gaze became exceptionally firm,
"If I must make a preliminary decision among many choices, I lean towards the three London clubs. More specifically, I hope to go to Arsenal."
Oliver specifically added, "My choice doesn't mean Chelsea and Tottenham are not good. Chelsea already won the Champions League in 2012; their club DNA already bears the imprint of that highest trophy. Going to Chelsea, I might win more championships, but to become a new legend, the starting point would be different. Then there's Tottenham. Although Pochettino's team has achieved excellent results in recent years, Tottenham... seems to lack a bit of that specific stylistic beauty that Arsenal, under Wenger's system, has accumulated for decades? Of course, this is just my personal subjective feeling, so between Arsenal and Tottenham, I think Arsenal aligns more with my ideas."
Oliver's lengthy statement concluded. A subtle silence fell over the conference room. The executives' faces were filled with surprise, contemplation, and a hint of imperceptible admiration. They had anticipated many possibilities: Oliver would be thrilled by Real Madrid's invitation, waver at Barça's call, be tempted by Manchester City's high salary, or go to the Southern Star to dominate the Bundesliga… But they never expected that this 17-year-old boy, at the first major crossroads of his life, would so calmly and clearly reject the worldly definition of the "highest stage." He chose a path full of thorns but leading to being a "legend creator" rather than a "legend follower."
Nagelsmann was the first to break the silence. He stared at Oliver, a complex and admiring smile slowly forming on his lips: "I have to say… this is really… very unexpected, Oliver, you've surprised me again."
As the person who best understood Oliver's on-field abilities, Nagelsmann now had another reason to marvel at his mental maturity. Sporting Director Rosen leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully stroking his chin: "Giving up the readily available, so-called giant clubs, and choosing a club that needs to rebuild its honor to begin a challenge… Kid, your ambition is even greater than I imagined, and your approach is even wilder."
On the screen, Jules's eyes shimmered with relief and pride. He knew his son had been considering this for a long time, but to express it so clearly, so independently, with sufficient reasons and clear goals, still shocked him as a father. Chairman Hopp pondered for a long time, then finally spoke slowly, his voice filled with genuine emotion: "Ollie, we Hoffenheim are known for creating surprises, but today, you made us the 'surprise creators' feel surprised as well. Your ideas far exceed your age, even surpassing many veterans who have played in top Leagues for years. Regarding the judgment of club value, Mr. Nagelsmann is correct; and regarding your personal path choice, your determination and vision are undoubtedly more worthy of respect."
He looked at Jules on the screen: "Mr. Thorne, your son's considerations are admirable. We understand his preference for Arsenal. The club's next steps will comprehensively consider the value growth points emphasized by Coach Nagelsmann, as well as Oliver's clearly expressed competitive and personal development goals. We will prioritize contact with Arsenal before the next summer window opens, ensuring the maximum protection of all parties' interests."
The long meeting finally ended. Walking out of the conference room, Oliver felt an invisible burden on his shoulders lighten somewhat. He made a choice that followed his heart. He knew that when this decision was finally made public, it would undoubtedly cause a huge stir and misunderstanding in the football world. But he believed that Arsenal under Wenger, that Gunners team flowing with technical blood and having once created an invincible season, would be the optimal harbor to carry his ship.
Just at this moment, in London, at Arsenal's Colney Training Centre. The revered Professor Wenger was yet unaware that in a distant German village, a rising star had already lit a lighthouse named "Creating New Legends" for him and his beloved Arsenal. The red thread of fate quietly crossed the English Channel.
...
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