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Chapter 123: First Brand Deal
🕑 Added 2025-08-17 16:08:09 +0000 UTC<<Arsenal beat Marseille 2–0 away from home! Their first victory in this season’s Champions League group stage>>
<<The Gunners firing on all cylinders>>
<<Arsenal hold the line in Marseille! The French attack collapses!>>
Arsenal’s first group stage win didn’t just bring three crucial points—it also sparked a wave of discussion among both fans and the British media.
In truth, there’s always been a degree of calm when it comes to Arsenal in the group stage. Historically, Arsenal haven’t struggled much at this stage of the competition. The real questions—year after year—have always arrived later, in the knockout rounds.
And of course, when those challenges do come, the story is usually the same: Arsenal run into one of Europe’s giants—Barcelona, Bayern, Madrid—clubs with winning fused into their DNA. Bad luck in the draw has so often been their undoing.
But this time, after a gritty away win in Marseille, there’s a sense of something different brewing. Some supporters are beginning to whisper that Arsenal may just have the resilience to take on Europe’s elite again, maybe even rekindle that old clash-of-styles fire they once showed against Barcelona.
Still, no one’s blind to the flaws. The squad remains thin in certain areas. The midfield is promising, yes, but not yet fully developed. And when Arsenal’s back line loses the shield of midfield protection, cracks do appear. It’s an issue Wenger knows only too well. He’s been searching for reinforcements, but with top-tier defenders reluctant to join Arsenal in this transitional period, the manager has often found himself frustrated. Even with money to spend, convincing the very best to come has proven difficult.
And then there’s Kai. Once again, he’s found himself in the spotlight—but not for a clever interception or a crunching tackle. No, this time it was his boots.
A photo posted online by a fan showed Kai’s battered, worn-out sneakers. The once-white boots were scuffed to the point of collapse, the leather peeling away in strips, hanging off his feet as though they could disintegrate at any moment.
The fan captioned it bluntly: “For heaven’s sake, Arsenal, buy the lad a new pair of boots!”
That sentiment quickly spread across social media, and Arsenal fans piled in with agreement. The club itself remained quiet, but Kai decided to respond on his account. He uploaded a close-up shot of his old boots, along with a defiant caption:
“I’m not changing my honour boots.”
He followed it with an explanation: “These boots have been with me for seven years. From the youth academy pitches to the professional stage. They aren’t just footwear—they’re part of my journey, a symbol of my career.”
The response was immediate and emotional. Arsenal supporters flooded the comments with praise, admiring his loyalty to something so simple yet so meaningful. For them, it was more than just sentimentality—it was character. They loved him for it.
But when the image reached China, the reaction became even bigger. Eagle-eyed fans took one look and recognised them instantly. Beneath the wear and tear, they spotted the make and model: the old Anta Lion Series-X2, first released seven years ago.
Once they realised Kai’s boots were the same affordable types—worth just over 100 RMB—that many of them had worn themselves, the excitement was palpable. Suddenly, a new phrase was everywhere: “I wear the same boots as Kai!”
Anta’s website was flooded with visits. Netizens joked:
“Kai’s given you free advertising, Anta! At least send him a fresh pair!”
“Wait—if I’ve got the same boots as Kai, does that mean I can play like him too?”
“Time to retire those boots, mate—the leather’s falling apart!”
“Sign him already! This is golden publicity!”
The buzz reached Anta’s headquarters almost instantly. Their executives convened an emergency meeting that very evening. For years, Kai’s profile in China had been steadily rising. Now, as Arsenal’s vice-captain and one of the most talked-about players in the squad, his commercial value was skyrocketing.
They had already seen how rival brands had moved quickly—Li Ning, for example, had snapped up Wang Yi. Anta weren’t about to let another opportunity slip through their fingers.
Within hours, they had dispatched a special team to London. Their mission was clear: secure Kai’s signature for an endorsement deal, and while they were at it, present him with a brand-new pair of boots.
...
In Arsenal’s conference room, Kai sat with his agent Barnett, deep in negotiations with Anta’s representatives. He’d always been more inclined toward working with domestic brands.
But Barnett had made it clear to Kai before the meeting: “Leave the talking to me. Business is business. You just sit back and let me handle it.”
Kai agreed without protest. He wasn’t the type to get involved in contract haggling anyway. To him, loyalty and affection were one thing, but money and endorsements belonged in a different world altogether.
If Anta wanted its name attached to the brand, it had to come up with the right offer.
Barnett leaned forward across the conference table, voice sharp and confident.
Barnett: “No, that won’t do. The minimum is equal to what Wang Yi earns. That’s our baseline.”
The Anta negotiator let out a strained sigh.
Negotiator: “But you must understand—Wang Yi is a striker. Kai plays midfield.”
It was a well-worn argument in football circles: strikers grabbed the headlines, midfielders did the graft. But Barnett was having none of it.
Barnett (snapping back): “And what exactly do you mean by that? Are you underestimating midfielders? Let me tell you something—without midfielders, strikers are useless. Who do you think feeds them the ball? Who controls the rhythm, wins possession, keeps the game alive? Without the engine room, there are no goals to celebrate.”
The negotiator shifted uneasily, but Barnett wasn’t finished.
Barnett: “Yes, Wang Yi is a forward. But Kai? He’s Arsenal’s vice-captain. Do you think Wenger is blind to his importance? Give it time, he’ll wear the armband permanently. And when he does, his value won’t just equal Wang’s—it’ll surpass it.”
Negotiator (muttering): “Vice-captain…”
Barnett (leaning in): “Vice for now. First captain in the future. You know it as well as I do.”
The room fell silent for a moment. Kai lowered his head, hiding a grin. He couldn’t help thinking to himself: This guy could sell ice to Eskimos… agents really are something else.
Still, Barnett’s words had hit their mark. Anta had long wanted to strengthen their international presence, and Kai’s image—bolstered by the viral “old boots” story—was a marketing dream. He wasn’t just an Arsenal player; he was fast becoming a symbol of grit, loyalty, and authenticity.
The negotiators exchanged glances before conceding.
Negotiator: “All right… five years. Nine million euros.”
Barnett raised a hand sharply.
Barnett: “Hold on. Why not go bigger? Seven years, fourteen million. Think of the long-term value here.”
The negotiator nearly fell out of his chair.
In the end, though, after much back-and-forth, the deal was struck: five years, nine million euros—an average of 1.8 million per year. For Kai, it was a remarkable first commercial contract. By comparison, Puma, Arsenal’s kit supplier, had previously only offered around 1.1 million annually. This was a significant leap forward.
Once the paperwork was signed, Anta’s representatives departed, promising a photoshoot and professional fitting the following day.
Inside the now quiet conference room, Kai handed Barnett a bottle of water.
Kai (smiling): “That was impressive. You know your stuff.”
Barnett chuckled, gulping down the water before replying.
Barnett: “Not bad, eh? I told you—this is what you pay me for.”
Kai laughed. He had to admit, Barnett had a knack for persuasion that bordered on theatrical.
Barnett: “Honestly, I’m glad they didn’t bite on the seven-year deal. I regretted saying it the moment it left my mouth. Your future value will outgrow any long-term contract like that.”
Kai: “It’s already more than I expected. I’m happy with it. I don’t need luxury endorsements.”
Barnett shook his head firmly.
Barnett: “You don’t get it. This isn’t about luxury—it’s about value. These deals show the market what you’re worth. That matters.”
Kai shrugged, still unconvinced.
Kai: “Fine. Just keep making sure you push in the right places. I trust you.”
Barnett nodded but then leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
Barnett: “But right now, there’s something even more pressing.”
Kai (frowning): “What’s that?”
Barnett: “You don’t read the papers, do you?”
Kai scratched his head sheepishly.
Kai: “I don’t even have a TV at home.”
Barnett gave an exasperated sigh.
Barnett: “That explains it. Look, you’ve been targeted. The tabloids—The Sun especially—they’ve been getting photos, bits of video, even details about your address. It’s been leaked. Your place is too exposed. If you don’t want fans and paparazzi camped outside your door every day, you need to move.”
He paused, softening his tone.
Barnett: “People think footballers live in mansions to flaunt wealth. Truth is, most of you need the privacy, the security. It’s about peace of mind. So my advice? Find a safer area—higher security, more privacy. It won’t be cheap, but you can afford it now.”
Kai looked genuinely unsettled.
Kai: “How expensive are we talking?”
Barnett: “For the kind of area I’m in, about £2,500 to £3,000 a week in rent.”
Kai’s jaw dropped.
Kai: “Three… thousand? Every week? That’s insane!”
Barnett glared at him.
Barnett: “You’re on £150,000 a week now. Do the maths. That’s nothing.”
Kai rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.
Kai: “All right, all right. But surely there’s something simpler? What about somewhere decent for around a thousand a week? Doesn’t have to be massive. Good location, solid security. I can cook, clean, and wash my clothes—I don’t need a nanny fussing over me. Honestly, I’d just feel awkward with one around.”
Barnett let out a long, weary sigh before shaking his head with a half-smile.
Barnett: “You are one of a kind. Fine, I’ll look into it. But for now, you’re moving out. You can stay at mine temporarily. I’ll clear out a room for you.”
Kai flashed him a thumbs-up, grinning.
Kai: “That’s all I need.”
