Chapter 148: Chapter 145: Acquiring WE to Build an All-Chinese Roster (Part 2)
Looking at the silent Zhou Hao, Gu Bai could clearly feel his interest.
"So, President Zhou? I am a straightforward person, so let’s not talk about the 40% premium. I’ll add another 10 million, making it a total of 500 million, all cash acquisition. If President Zhou can’t meet this requirement, then let’s call it off. I believe there are few clubs that could refuse such an offer of 500 million."
When Gu Bai finished speaking, the whole scene quieted down.
Apart from the still hesitating Zhou Hao, Principal Wang and Yao Jingcheng were also observing Zhou Hao’s reaction.
If Zhou Hao nodded, it would become the largest acquisition in the esports circle. It’s no exaggeration to say that this acquisition could directly influence the direction of the esports industry.
A few minutes later, Zhou Hao seemed to have made up his mind.
"President Gu, I can only guarantee to sell you my 65% shares. As for the shares of my two other partners, I can only try to persuade them on your behalf. If they don’t want to sell, there’s nothing I can do."
Upon hearing Zhou Hao’s response, Gu Bai smiled.
Once the major shareholder is secured, the remaining 35% will be easy.
If we can negotiate, it’s better to negotiate. If the negotiation fails, Gu Bai has ten thousand ways to force them out.
Seeing the smile on Gu Bai’s handsome face, Zhou Hao found it somewhat dazzling.
The club he had painstakingly built over more than a decade was just handed over like this. He couldn’t even muster the thought of refusal. 325 million, such a figure that might be refused by someone from a wealthy family like Yao Jingcheng, but for him, it made the idea of refusal impossible.
This was also the reason Gu Bai never considered acquiring RNG.
In terms of the current club’s value, RNG was definitely the highest, and its operations were quite successful. However, buying it from the hands of Yao Jingcheng would require several times more time and effort compared to acquiring WE.
Gu Bai: "Since we’ve already reached an agreement, I hope President Zhou can help persuade your two partners. After all, the price I’m offering is definitely reasonable. I’ll also arrange for someone to discuss the acquisition details with WE as soon as possible."
Zhou Hao nodded, his emotions mixed, unsure whether it was the shock of 325 million, or the disappointment of the club being acquired, or perhaps both. Unexpectedly, a few cups of tea later, his club had changed ownership.
After some idle talk, Gu Bai cast a not-so-well-meaning glance at Yao Jingcheng.
Feeling Gu Bai’s gaze, Yao Jingcheng couldn’t help but shiver inside.
A few seconds later, Gu Bai smiled at Yao Jingcheng and said, "President Yao, I’ve finished my business with President Zhou. Now I have another business proposition for you. I wonder if you’re interested?"
Without even thinking, Yao Jingcheng directly refused, "Not interested, RNG has no intention of selling at all."
He thought that after swallowing WE, Gu Bai still wanted to make a move on his RNG.
Seeing Yao Jingcheng’s guarded demeanor, several black lines ran down Gu Bai’s forehead.
"President Yao must be mistaken. This business isn’t about that."
"Then what is it?"
"How about letting me have your club’s player UZI?"
This was Gu Bai’s ultimate goal.
Since the acquisition of WE was confirmed, the next steps had to be considered,
WE had been declining more and more over the generations, and despite reaching the semi-finals this year, he still wasn’t optimistic. Having invested 500 million, Gu Bai certainly wouldn’t be stingy about the cost of purchasing players.
In his heart, there was always a grand goal.
To build a Galaxy Battleship belonging solely to LPL.
As a star player in LPL, UZI was undoubtedly an essential piece.
Though he had experienced multiple setbacks in the World Championships now, UZI was notorious with nicknames like Bath Brother, Void Champion, and Lantern King. Nonetheless, he was undeniably a top-tier AD in LPL and even worldwide.
Hearing Gu Bai’s words, Yao Jingcheng stared directly at Gu Bai before slowly responding, "President Gu, that’s not a funny joke."
UZI was undeniably the core of the entire RNG Club. No matter his prowess or commercial value, RNG couldn’t possibly sell UZI. To exaggerate, without UZI, RNG would collapse half. For instance, after UZI’s retirement in the previous life, RNG languished for a while, and if there hadn’t been a rising new AD, it might have downgraded to a second-rate club.
Gu Bai didn’t care about the dissatisfaction in Yao Jingcheng’s tone, lightly rubbing the teacup in his hand.
"I just said I never joke in formal settings."
Yao Jingcheng squinted his eyes.
"President Gu knows the importance of UZI to our RNG Club. How could you think I would sell him?"
"With money."
"President Gu, I know your group is wealthy, but you must understand that not everyone is short of money."
This statement left Zhou Hao, who had been watching the fun, stunned. Was this an implication for him? Just minutes ago, he sold WE for money.
Gu Bai shook his head gently.
"I know President Yao isn’t short of money, but just because you’re not doesn’t mean UZI isn’t. If I want to, I can fully reach out to UZI directly. Since I’m here negotiating with you to maintain a good rapport between us,
after all, how high can the penalty you set for UZI be? 100 million or 200 million?
I can afford those amounts, and I am very willing to pay."
Gu Bai’s words were already a blatant threat. Although RNG had the nickname of being a god of contracts, that didn’t work with Gu Bai. In the European football market, poaching players was already routine. As long as the financier could afford the penalty, everything could be negotiated.
According to his experience in the previous life, after UZI retired, he had a significant conflict with RNG.
This implied there wasn’t as much harmony between UZI and the RNG Club as it seemed on the surface. If he could afford the penalty, there was a possibility of recruiting UZI.
As for the fate of RNG without UZI, what did it have to do with him?
Gu Bai’s words directly hit Yao Jingcheng’s soft spot.
Indeed, given Gu Bai’s financial resources, if he went all out regardless and spent money fiercely, UZI could indeed be taken away.
"President Gu, with your vast assets, is there any need to drive us small businesses to despair?"
"That’s why I’m negotiating with you. We’re all friends here, so why should it come to life or death disputes? Isn’t that right?
Moreover, from what I understand, RNG and UZI have already had significant conflicts over contracts, haven’t they? President Yao, if things really reached that point, what do you think the odds of my success would be?"
Yao Jingcheng didn’t answer Gu Bai’s question but instead looked towards Principal Wang, considering he was originally the introducer.
"Principal, is this also your idea?"
Sitting on the side, in a daze, Principal Wang was startled.
He then looked at him lightly.
Indeed, he brought Gu Bai here, but what did the content of the conversation have to do with him? Originally, he had no significant ties with Zhou Hao and Yao Jingcheng, just a few encounters.
Now that he found Gu Bai wasn’t someone easy to offend, they came looking for trouble with him?
Since when did I, Principal Wang, become an easy target?
He immediately replied bluntly: "I’m just acting as an intermediary. You talk among yourselves. It has nothing to do with me. Don’t involve me."
The conversation reached this point, and the atmosphere gradually cooled down.
"Since there’s nothing more to talk about, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first."
After speaking, Yao Jingcheng directly got up and left.
Gu Bai remained sipping his tea, not even turning his head.
Since the negotiations faltered, there was no need to force them. As for Principal Wang, there was nothing more to say. With his petty nature, he probably couldn’t wait for Gu Bai to hollow out his RNG.
As for Zhou Hao, he stayed seated.
Although he came with Yao Jingcheng, it didn’t mean he had a strong relationship with him.
Now that he agreed to Gu Bai’s acquisition, at least on the surface, he had already sided with Gu Bai.
"Alright, let’s continue our drinking."
Gu Bai acted as if he didn’t care, inviting Principal Wang and Zhou Hao to drink.