Reports of Gareth Bale joining Liverpool had never reached Martin O'Neill through any media outlet, not even speculative rumors.

He had to admire Niang's secrecy, and he also wondered how Niang had managed to secure Bale so quickly, given that rumors of Redknapp leaving Tottenham had only recently surfaced.

What he didn't know was that Niang had been considering signing Bale ever since Liverpool's first encounter with Tottenham that season.

He had been tracking and observing Bale's performance ever since. When Bale was injured, he even sent Bale a text message in his personal capacity to comfort him. As the general manager of a rival team, such concern for a player was indeed touching for Bale. From that moment on, a seed of goodwill toward Niang was planted in Bale's heart.

Niang didn't get too close to Bale, to avoid arousing Tottenham's suspicion. It might even attract the ever-present media. If they made a fuss, the whole thing would be over. There were countless teams wanting Bale, so what made Liverpool think they could compete? He could only play the emotional card… Keeping a low profile was the key. If other teams found out, they might swarm in, raising prices and playing their own emotional cards, leaving nothing for Liverpool…

Niang waited patiently for his opportunity.

It finally arrived near the end of the season.

Tottenham's failure to qualify for European competition next season displeased the club's executives. They felt they spent a lot of money each season, bringing in many talented players, yet the team's results were getting worse. They used to be able to defeat both Milan teams in the Champions League, but now they couldn't even qualify for the Europa League. Therefore, it couldn't be the fault of the club's management or the players, it must be the fault of the head coach.

Redknapp's level had reached its limit. The team he led could only achieve so much. If Tottenham wanted to develop further, they needed a new coach.

So, they made the decision to sack Redknapp.

This decision wasn't a secret within Tottenham. The media had been reporting rumors of Redknapp's departure and Tottenham's search for a new head coach, so everyone knew.

Bale, however, was very unhappy and disappointed with this high-level decision.

He had publicly expressed his support for Redknapp and criticized the club's executives.

Of course, he supported Redknapp. Since joining Tottenham, he had only truly shone under Redknapp. Before that, he was considered Tottenham's jinx. Whenever he played, Tottenham was sure to lose. His own performance at Tottenham had also been inconsistent. As a promising star who had been highly regarded and scouted by Manchester United, he had never been comfortable at Tottenham.

It was Redknapp who transformed him into a left winger, freeing him from too many defensive duties, which unleashed his offensive talent and energy. He transformed from an average left-back into a world-class left winger.

Redknapp had shown him great appreciation, so of course he didn't want Redknapp to leave. He felt that the team's poor performance wasn't just the head coach's fault, but that everyone on the team should take responsibility, and even the club's executives should reflect on their actions.

Simply blaming Redknapp for the failure was too heartless and crude, and wouldn't help Tottenham's development.

He was disappointed with the club's actions.

In his eyes, sacking Redknapp was a sign that the club had lost its ambition and was starting to mess around.

For a while, he was unsure if he should continue to stay with the team.

He was an ambitious player. He had stayed at Tottenham because of the team's positive momentum and, of course, because of Redknapp's presence.

Now that both factors that had kept him at Tottenham were gone, he had to consider whether to venture into the world of big clubs. He was confident that with his ability, he could establish himself in a top team.

Although he had suffered serious injuries in the past two seasons, they hadn't affected his form and ability.

At this time, Niang contacted him immediately, and very considerately told him that Liverpool had ambition and aspirations. Moreover, Liverpool's actual performance proved Niang's words. Liverpool ranked second in the league and defeated Tottenham in both league matches. In particular, in the last round of the league, they defeated Tottenham 3:1 with a second-string team, leaving Tottenham speechless. Bale saw that Liverpool had what Tottenham was lacking, and it shone brightly.

Then, Liverpool defeated Inter Milan, who had been very interested in him, in the Europa League final and won the championship.

This final showed Bale that a powerful Liverpool was rising, and that the former treble-winning Inter Milan was hopelessly declining. He had once considered going to Inter Milan, but after watching this game, he felt that he shouldn't waste his time at Inter Milan…

The worst thing is comparison. As the saying goes, "Comparing people is upsetting." The Europa League final happened to be the best comparison.

After this comparison, Liverpool was simply the most suitable next home for Bale…

They were vibrant, and the team had a good atmosphere. They were strong, with players like Chen Hero, Sanchez, Suarez, and Gerrard. Who could say that Liverpool was weak? The head coach was also very good. Martin O'Neill was a famous manager in English football, and his coaching ability had long been recognized. He led Liverpool to second place in the league and won the European championship in his first season, making him a world-class manager compared to his predecessor, Dalglish…

When Bale thought about it this way, he felt that going to Liverpool was indeed a very good choice, and Liverpool could also meet his requirements in terms of personal treatment…

In fact, there was another factor that even Niang didn't know – Bale was very much looking forward to partnering with Chen Hero. He felt that a center forward like Chen Hero could bring out his full potential. Playing with Chen Hero would allow him to truly become the world's number one left winger, instead of just "one of" the best.

There were examples. Look at Adam Johnson. At Manchester City, he was just a rotation player. After Mancini came, he even lost his position and could only be sold to Liverpool. Although many people were optimistic about him, he had never really shown the kind of strength that could convince the world. People only said that he "had that potential".

Many players have that potential, but they can never fully realize it in their lifetime.

What about now? Since going to Liverpool, after regaining the opportunity to play, he quickly became the best left winger in England. Thanks to his outstanding performance at Liverpool, he was even selected for the England national team and became a starter!

Who was to thank for this? Chen Hero! His assist data soared, and his performance in every game was commendable.

If he had a different center forward, many of Adam Johnson's assists would have been wasted, right? How many people would be able to see Adam Johnson's ability then?

People are always visual creatures. Without visual performance, relying solely on others saying he is capable, many people would not believe it. Seeing is believing.

Bale had a selfish thought. He felt that Chen Hero had the ability to "turn stone into gold." Any player who partnered with him would perform better than before. He could motivate his teammates around him, which was particularly remarkable. Bale hadn't seen many players with such abilities.

He felt that he was almost twenty-four years old, and his career had officially entered its "prime." If he didn't make the right choice and achieve success, he was afraid he would have no hope for the rest of his life.

Therefore, this transfer had to be carefully considered, taking into account all aspects. Achievement was his top priority.

Looking at it this way, Liverpool was indeed quite suitable for him.

Moreover, Welsh players had a precedent for success at Liverpool. For example, Ian Rush, the greatest scorer in Welsh football, achieved success at Liverpool.

Bale didn't choose Manchester United and didn't follow Giggs' path. Now he had the hope of following Ian Rush's path. If he could succeed at Liverpool, he would be another legendary star like Ian Rush, right?

After considering all these factors, Bale and Niang finally signed a preliminary agreement.

Both parties reached an agreement on personal treatment and other issues. The preliminary agreement was for a five-year contract.

Now, as long as Liverpool can reach an agreement with Tottenham, he will be a Liverpool player.

However, Bale also promised that he would put pressure on the club to release him – he didn't know that Tottenham actually had plans to let him go.

Tottenham's thinking was very realistic. Bale's continuous serious injuries in the past two seasons made them feel that Bale's highest achievement in his career was just this. Because of injuries, he couldn't have any major development or future. Continuing to keep him in the team would require paying him high weekly wages, as well as paying for his medical treatment and surgery. It was too uneconomical. Moreover, there were quite a few suitors for Bale now. While Bale could still be sold for some money, they should sell him quickly, or it might be too late. They would truly regret it then.

In this way, Bale's departure had become a certainty.

After finishing the Europa League final and the celebration banquet, Niang started negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur the next day without stopping.

He was confident that he could sign Bale, and he wouldn't spend too much money. Tottenham could use Bale's frequent serious injuries to sell him off, and he could use this to lower the price.

As for Bale's frequent injuries, he didn't care.

Liverpool's sports medicine team had given him a report, analyzing that Bale's injuries were sequelae left over from his rapid physical development period. In other words, Bale's injuries were related to his puberty. His body was still developing, unable to keep up with his speed and high-intensity confrontation, so problems occurred.

However, this would disappear as his body development period ended and his body gradually stabilized. A healthy and strong Bale would appear at Anfield. Bale wouldn't need to change his way of playing, he just needed to pay a little attention.

His most powerful weapon, speed, would naturally not be affected.

So, what others didn't want was trash, but for Niang, it was a treasure.