The phone rang at 6:47 AM Monaco time.
Philippe's voice crackled through the international static, excitement cutting through the early morning haze. Demien sat up in bed, instantly alert at his scout's tone.
"He's everything you said. Better than everything you said."
Buenos Aires bustled in the background, car horns and Spanish voices mixing with Philippe's French accent. The scout had spent three days observing Racing Club's training sessions.
"River Plate wants ten million euros."
The figure hung in digital space between continents, a stark reminder of professional reality cutting through tactical dreams. Ten million for a player most European clubs had never heard of.
"Wolfsburg offered nine million last month," Philippe continued. "The Germans are serious about this kid."
Demien's blood ran cold. Future knowledge collided with present negotiations, the understanding that German efficiency could derail Monaco's revolutionary plans.
"We pay ten million. Today."
"Coach, that's—"
"Today, Philippe. Before anyone else realizes what they're missing."
Silence stretched across the international connection as the professional scout processed emergency instructions that bypassed routine transfer procedures.
Monaco's head scout had worked in football for twenty years. Emergency signings often led to panic purchases—desperate moves that usually ended in costly mistakes.
But Yves Laurent's reputation demanded trust.
"The club will want extensive reports and a full medical examination—standard bureaucracy."
"Handle the paperwork. I'll handle the board."
Philippe made notes while grappling with the unprecedented urgency. An emergency transfer for an unknown Argentine represented a massive professional risk.
"Work permit complications could delay everything. EU regulations are a nightmare for South Americans."
"How long?"
"Minimum two weeks. Probably longer if documentation issues arise."
Two weeks while Wolfsburg prepared their own offer. Two weeks for other clubs to recognize D'Alessandro's value. Time was working against their revolutionary recruitment.
"Get it done."
The line went dead. Monaco's scout stared at his notepad in a Buenos Aires hotel room, grappling with emergency transfer instructions that violated every principle of careful recruitment.
But the tactical genius who had delivered Champions League qualification deserved professional loyalty.
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La Turbie buzzed with morning training preparations.
Players arrived carrying equipment bags and yesterday's disappointment. Two draws in league play had raised questions about their revolutionary approach, with media speculation swirling about Spanish experiments failing French tests.
Demien gathered his coaching staff in the tactical room, where a whiteboard was covered in formation diagrams and statistical analysis. Evidence of systematic success mingled with competitive frustration.
"We're signing a creative midfielder from Argentina."
Michel looked up from his clipboard. "Who?"
"Andrés D'Alessandro. Racing Club. Ten million euros."
Professional silence filled the small room as the coaching staff processed the expensive gamble on unknown talent—a revolutionary signing for a revolutionary system.
"Ten million for someone we've never seen play?" Bernard's voice carried a defensive skepticism.
"I've seen him play."
"Where? When?"
Dangerous questions probed impossible knowledge, an understanding of player development that shouldn't exist yet.
"Video analysis. Extensive scouting reports."
Professional lies disguised as supernatural certainty, using established authority to bypass logical inquiry.
Michel made notes while considering the transfer implications. "What position? How does he fit our system?"
Demien drew arrows on the tactical board, positioning D'Alessandro between midfield and attack—the creative heartbeat of their possession-based approach.
"He threads passes other players can't see. Operates in tight spaces. Perfect first touch under pressure."
"Like Rui Costa?"
"Better technical ability. More intelligent movement."
Bold claims about a player nobody had studied. Staff exchanged glances, questioning the coach's mysterious confidence.
"Ten million seems expensive for an unknown quantity."
"Unknown to you. Not unknown to me."
Authority closed down the tactical discussion. Yves Laurent's reputation provided cover for this revolutionary gamble.
Training began with players executing tiki-taka drills. Three weeks of systematic preparation showed gradual improvement, with passing triangles flowing with increased confidence.
But the creative spark remained missing. Final passes lacked the inspiration that separated good possession from revolutionary attack.
D'Alessandro would change everything.
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The board meeting convened at 2 PM sharp.
Monaco's directors gathered around a polished conference table, and financial advisors and club officials processed the emergency transfer request—ten million euros for an Argentine nobody had heard of.
"Explain this signing," the president said directly.
Demien spread scouting reports across the expensive wood. Philippe's analysis was mixed with video screenshots and professional documentation supporting their revolutionary recruitment.
"Creative midfielder. Perfect for our possession system. Available now before other clubs recognize his value."
"Ten million for a Racing Club player?"
"Wolfsburg offered nine million. We need to act immediately."
The club president studied financial projections. European qualification had improved Monaco's budget, and Champions League revenue justified ambitious spending.
"This player fits our tactical approach?"
"He makes our tactical approach work."
A simple explanation that carried the weight of tactical authority, understanding that the right player could unlock systematic potential.
Board members exchanged glances, weighing professional doubt about targeting unknown talent against trust in a coach who had delivered European football.
"Work permit complications?"
"Being handled. The player arrives within three weeks."
An optimistic timeline that ignored bureaucratic reality, understanding that board approval required confident certainty.
The financial advisor reviewed the transfer budget. "This signing would use a significant portion of summer funds."
"Worth every euro."
"Based on what evidence?"
"Based on the tactical understanding that brought us Champions League qualification."
Using established success to justify a revolutionary risk, Yves Laurent's reputation was insurance against expensive failure.
The vote was unanimous. Ten million euros were approved for the unknown Argentine—a revolutionary recruitment for revolutionary football.
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The late evening brought an international phone call.
D'Alessandro's voice carried youthful excitement mixed with professional nervousness. His English was limited, and his Spanish was mixed with broken French.
"Coach Laurent? This is... an honor."
"Welcome to Monaco."
"I want to say... thank you for believing in me."
The words carried the weight that transcended language barriers, a young player recognizing an opportunity that could change his life forever.
"Work permit should arrive next week. Then we begin."
"I am ready. I train every day. I study your tactics on video."
Professional dedication that impressed even the most demanding coaches, a player preparing for a revolutionary opportunity through systematic effort.
"See you soon."
The call ended with mutual understanding—a revolutionary coach and a revolutionary player connected across continents. A transfer that would change both their futures.
Philippe's final message arrived at midnight.
"Transfer documents signed. Work permit processing. The player will land in Nice next Thursday."
Everything confirmed. The Argentine connection was established. Revolutionary recruitment was completed despite bureaucratic obstacles.
D'Alessandro would arrive carrying ten million euros of expectation, a creative midfielder tasked with unlocking tiki-taka's full potential.
It remained to be discovered whether this unknown talent could handle the pressure of the Champions League.