CHAPTER 102: ONE SEASON

"I know what you’re scared of, and you have a point. But you know, not a lot of players in Germany can say no to a club like Bayern Munich when they come calling. It has been stressing me out all morning," Krösche revealed as he took off his glasses, took a sip of his coffee, and rubbed the spot between his eyes, trying to ease the headache this situation was causing him.

"But he’s only on a three-year deal. And with the way he’s improving, by the next renegotiation, we might be unable to offer half the terms other clubs would be willing to offer. So if we can sell him for a massive fee, that’ll be a lot better than letting him leave as a free agent in 3 years, or even worse, putting him on massive wages and he falls off a cliff after half a season."

As Toppmöller listened to Krösche speak, it dawned on him: the club’s financial interest would always come first.

Krösche opened the folder he had placed on the desk between him and Toppmöller and brought out the file.

It was Lukas’s current contract with the club.

"I have been looking through it all morning, but it is already so clear that he is currently underpaid even though he only just signed the contract less than a couple of months ago. Once clubs get a whiff of his contract details, he will be snapped up in the blink of an eye."

"Markus," Toppmöller spoke up, "I am no magician. Look at the team we have right now. Pushing for a Champions League spot, in the Europa League knockout stage. I watch him train every week and play every weekend, I know his quality more than anyone else. With Lukas in this team, cementing our position in 3rd this season or even catching up to Leverkusen isn’t impossible. Going deep in the Europa League is guaranteed too. If we can keep him for one more season, a title is basically guaranteed.

But you cannot expect the quality of the team on the pitch not to drop if our best player is being snapped up every transfer window."

Krösche looked at Toppmöller intensely as the coach laid out his complaints. This was one of the main reasons his relationship with the previous head coach — Oliver Glasner — fractured.

But he knew Toppmöller’s concerns were not unfounded.

In the last two years Toppmöller had been at the club, they had consistently lost one of their best players in almost every transfer window. Whether it was Kolo Muani, Pacho, Lindstrom, and even more recently, Omar Marmoush. There were even rumors coming from England that a few clubs were monitoring Hugo Ekitike’s performance, and there was no guarantee he wouldn’t receive a massive offer once the transfer window opened.

If they were to lose both players in the same window, it could be devastating for the club if they were unable to find adequate replacements.

After a few minutes of sitting in silence and contemplating, Krösche spoke up.

"There is a €75M clause in his contract."

"Is it a release clause?"

"No. It just states that if a club offers at least €75M for him, we will open negotiations in good faith. It’s not valid for German clubs, though. So don’t worry, we won’t be selling him to any of our domestic rivals," he replied. "At least not unless they fork out an eye-watering fee," he thought.

"I understand.

But just give me a season in the Champions League with him, and I promise by this time next year, you will scoff at an offer of €75M from any club, anywhere," Toppmöller said, his eyes focused and filled with intent.

"With the way things are going, we will most likely have to renegotiate his contract by the end of the season if we want to keep him for one more season. When that time comes, as long as he maintains his current form, I’ll make sure the offer is substantial."

"I am counting on you, Markus. I promise you won’t regret this decision," Toppmöller said as he stood up and shook hands with Krösche before leaving the office.

The CEO watched his head coach leave and kept standing, staring at the door long after he had left, before slumping back down on the sofa.

"Haaaa... This is not an easy decision... But if we get this right, my position will most likely be cemented."

A player they had gotten for nothing less than a year ago had turned out to be one of the brightest gems in the league. Selling such a player just off the back of a phenomenal season in the current transfer market would be a massive windfall for the club.

But in the same vein, sitting on him and trying to increase his value before selling him also has risks associated with it.

"It really isn’t an easy decision," he said as he picked up the copy of Lukas’s contract and read it once more.

* * *

Back at the Brandts’ apartment, Lukas and Javi had just finished going through the proposals from several brands seeking sponsorship.

"I’m surprised About You wants me as an ambassador. I don’t know anything about modeling, but I would love to work with them if possible," Lukas said as he dropped the contract proposal from the e-commerce company.

"I will set up that meeting after Puma’s. I’ll let you know when it’s done," Marco said as he placed the files back into his bag and brought out another folder.

"This is from Henry. He has been busy with setting things up like you asked. They just need both your signatures. Read them and sign them so I can send it back to him."

"Ohh... I almost forgot about that. It took him a while?"

"Yeah. I don’t know the exact details, but apparently quite a lot is happening in the world of business and finance right now with the trade wars. He’s been busy trying to navigate that."

"Oh that’s right, it’s around this time that the tariffs were just announced," Lukas thought. "No problem, we’ll look through it and sign it," he said as he handed a copy to Javi, who started reading the document religiously.

* * *

Lukas wore a sleek, dark hooded parka, its water-resistant fabric glinting faintly under the overcast February sky. The hood was pulled low over his head, casting a shadow over his face to keep him out of sight from any curious fans — he had become somewhat of a celebrity both in Darmstadt and in Frankfurt.

Underneath, a soft cashmere sweater in muted grey peeked out, offering warmth against the lingering winter chill. Slim, black jeans tucked neatly into high-top sneakers gave him a casual yet purposeful look. A lightweight scarf wrapped loosely around his neck served both as an extra layer against the wind and an extra barrier for anonymity. In his hand, a small leather backpack held essentials, leaving him hands-free to navigate quietly down the quiet streets, blending seamlessly into the ordinary, rainy February afternoon.

About ten minutes later, he got to his destination.

"Hey, Jo, I’m outside," he typed and sent to Joanna, and almost immediately, the front door unlocked.

"You came? It’s raining... I thought you wouldn’t come ’cause of the weather."

"I said I’d be here, I always keep my word," Lukas responded as he gave her a peck before walking in.

Joanna smiled widely and closed the door behind her.

"Who else is home?"

"Reuben is sleeping. He loves sleeping when it rains."

"Honestly, who doesn’t."

"I know right? Mum and dad are still at work. They should be back anytime soon. João is taking a shower. He came back from the academy about 15 minutes ago."

"JOANNA, WHO IS THERE?!" João’s scruffy voice echoed through the apartment from the bathroom in his room.

"It’s Lukas!" Joanna responded.

"OH MR. SUPERSTAR WONDERKID! I WILL BE RIGHT OUT!"

João was out about 2 minutes later, wearing his pajamas, water still dripping from his hair as he sat beside Lukas and hooked his hands around him.

"Bro. You’re a superstar already!"

"Ahem... I know, right? Already in the Ballon d’Or conversation."

"Raphinha who? Mbappe who? What nonsense Yamal? It’s all you bro."

"Okay let’s calm down, now," Lukas said as he and João burst out laughing while Joanna sat opposite them looking at them.

"You’re friends for a reason. I can’t tell who’s crazier," she said as she shook her head while smiling.

"I saw coach Nagelsmann on the pitch. Do you think he’ll call you up for the Nations League quarterfinals next month?" João asked after the jokes ended.

"I sure hope so. But I honestly don’t know. I haven’t represented Germany at any youth level. To the DFB, it probably looks like I appeared out of thin air."

"That makes sense. But that shouldn’t be their focus. They should focus on the fact that you’re probably the most in-form player in the world right now. And definitely the most in-form German."