章節 389: Chapter 389: Summer Transfers
In early July, Charles Capet flew directly from Los Angeles to London on a private jet.
Sitting on the sofa and gazing out the plane window, Charles was lost in thought. The Time Warner Group had replaced its chairman and CEO.
The slimming down of the entire Time Warner Group continued, with AOL seeking a buyer. Time Cable Company and Time Magazine Group were also up for sale.
A few years prior, Warner Records and Warner Publishing Group had been sold. Time Warner's new focus was on content creation, distribution, and marketing, mainly in film and television.
Kate Beckinsale picked up Charles at the airport and took him to her Notting Hill villa.
In the morning, Charles woke up in bed and glanced at Kate Beckinsale beside him. He got up and walked to the window, drawing the curtains open.
The weather in London in July was dry, and although the temperature was moderate, Charles didn't like the air quality.
Kate Beckinsale's villa was a white, three-story townhouse with a good view that overlooked Hyde Park in the distance.
After a while, Kate Beckinsale draped a blanket over Charles's shoulders. She herself also wrapped a blanket around her and walked over.
"Babe, it's less than 20 degrees Celsius right now. It's even colder in the morning," Kate said, wrapping Charles in the blanket and rubbing his muscular body.
"Thanks," Charles said, looking at Kate's rosy face. "Do many celebrities like living in Notting Hill because of its rich artistic atmosphere?"
Emily Blunt's apartment was also in Notting Hill, and Kate's previous residence there wasn't this one.
"Sort of. There are all kinds of people here, and it's very artistic," Kate Beckinsale laughed. "Of course, the annual carnival is the biggest draw!"
"But the British climate can't compare to those Mediterranean countries like Spain and Italy," Charles really didn't like the UK.
"So, want to go on a vacation to the Mediterranean? I've got nothing much to do recently," Kate Beckinsale loved being with Charles, both physically and emotionally.
"I came here to follow Arsenal's summer transfers, so I might be a bit busy," Charles said, shaking his head with a smile.
He reached out and touched the woman's face, then smoothed her long hair. "I still remember your look in Underworld!"
"Don't you like Pepper Potts?" Kate Beckinsale said, shaking her orange hair, "I'm Iron Man's secretary!"
"I love your leather outfit in Underworld; it showcased your figure perfectly," Charles said, pulling Kate Beckinsale onto the bed.
"Underworld, seems like Sony's Screen Gems wants to continue the sequels. They have plenty of ideas for Underworld 4," Kate Beckinsale said, glancing at Charles. "What about you?"
Charles shook his head. "No clue. The trilogy's story has concluded, and Len Wiseman's and my ideas have been realized. Continuing means they just want to exploit you as the lead actress!"
Kate Beckinsale nodded. "My agent said the same. Plus, I saw the rough draft of Underworld 4, and it felt too half-baked."
"Alright, I have to go to the Colney training ground. I'll be back for dinner with you!"
After winning the Premier League title in May, Arsenal began working on player transfers.
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann moved to Stuttgart on a free transfer, while Flamini moved to AC Milan on a free transfer.
Vice-captain Gilberto Silva transferred to Panathinaikos for PS2 million.
Ben Turner joined newly-promoted Stoke City for PS4 million.
With midfielder Diaby, Rosicky, Denilson, and defender Emmanuel Eboue leaving in the winter, Arsenal's rejuvenation continued.
"Man City is really flipping things around. Do they want to empty out our Arsenal?" Charles asked during a meeting with the executives at Colney's training ground.
Main striker Adebayor and defensive mainstays Kolo Toure and William Gallas were under consideration, while Senderos was of lesser concern to Charles.
"Thaksin is selling Man City to the Abu Dhabi United Group. It's about to be announced. They're making offers for many players," David Dein explained nearby.
"Yaya Toure, didn't Barca say he's up for grabs?" Charles said, raising a document.
"Barcelona also wants our Alexander Hleb. Yaya Toure is priced at PS16 million, while Hleb is priced at PS13 million. We only need to add PS3 million to swap," David Dein explained.
In 2006, Arsenal got PS5 million and William Gallas by trading Ashley Cole to Chelsea.
Though Gallas's abilities were decent, he had disputes with Gilberto Silva over the captaincy and clashes with coach Arsene Wenger.
With Gilberto Silva now gone, Arsenal didn't mind parting with Gallas, as they had better options on their recruitment list.
"No further negotiations with Barcelona?" Charles asked, hoping for a direct swap.
David Dein shook his head. "We've been negotiating forever!"
"Mr. Wenger, what do you think?" Charles asked the head coach.
Wenger thought for a moment and said, "This year's recruitments are numerous, if funds..."
"Don't worry about funds. Do you want Yaya Toure?"
Wenger nodded, looking at Charles; a few years ago, money would have sealed the deal.
"David, do it. It's only PS3 million."
Did Charles really care about that? Man City's future midfield core was worth it.
"Samir Nasri, Marseille wants PS12 million, no negotiations. Sign him!"
"Liverpool wants PS20 million for Xabi Alonso, and we've negotiated down to PS18 million. Hurry before they change their minds!"
"Vincent Kompany from Hamburg is priced at PS7 million. Sign him! Even Man City has an eye on him, but we're the Premier League champions!"
"Thiago Silva from Brazil is also good, and he's PS7.5 million."
Charles quickly allocated around PS50 million for these transfers, and there were still a few more on the list.
Man City, sorry, but not sorry!
*****
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