Chapter 35: "I Have Absolutely No Interest in Men"
Dortmund, Germany.
The early afternoon sun shone through the tall glass windows of Borussia Dortmund's administrative building, casting long reflections across the polished wooden floors. The club was calm on the surface, but inside several offices, discussions that could shape the club's future were already unfolding.
At the Brackel Training Centre, Borussia Dortmund head coach Jürgen Klopp strode down the corridor at a speed that suggested urgency rather than routine. His slightly unkempt hair and half-buttoned shirt made it clear that he had rushed out in a hurry.
Just moments earlier, he had received a call from his trusted scout and long-time partner, Peter Klavic.
The message was simple:
Bayern Munich had already met Ken and his agent.
That was enough to make Klopp abandon everything he was doing.
---
The Phone Call
Earlier that morning, Peter's voice had sounded unusually tense over the phone.
"Jürgen, I just confirmed it. Ken and his agent visited Bayern's headquarters today. Sammer personally met them."
Klopp had frozen for a moment.
"They moved that fast?"
"Yes. And from what I hear, Bayern is very serious."
Klopp ran a hand through his hair. "Did they reach an agreement?"
"Not yet, but negotiations have clearly started."
A brief silence followed before Klopp replied, his tone suddenly firm:
"Keep tracking the situation. And prepare a full report on Ken's current contract terms. We may need to move sooner than planned."
---
Inside the CEO's Office
Without knocking, Klopp pushed open the office door of Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, startling the executive who had been comfortably leaning back in his chair with a cup of coffee.
"Jürgen! You nearly gave me a heart attack," Watzke complained, placing his cup down carefully. "What's the emergency?"
Klopp didn't sit. He walked straight to the desk, hands planted firmly on the surface.
"We need to talk about our forward situation immediately."
Watzke raised an eyebrow. "This sounds serious."
"It is."
Klopp took a breath. "If Lewandowski leaves next season — and all signs say he will — we must prepare now. I've found a player who could become the next cornerstone of our attack."
Watzke sighed. "You mean that Brazilian youngster you mentioned yesterday?"
"Yes. Ken."
"The seventeen-year-old?" Watzke leaned back skeptically. "You really believe he can handle the Bundesliga?"
Klopp's expression became unusually intense.
"I watched him closely in Munich. Not just the goals — his awareness, his movement, the way he reads defensive lines. That kind of instinct cannot be taught. And more importantly, he's fearless."
Watzke crossed his arms. "Many young players look brilliant in one match."
"This wasn't just brilliance," Klopp replied. "It was control. Even against Bayern's defenders, he never rushed decisions. Players with that kind of mentality become special."
---
Dortmund's Strategy
Watzke stood and walked toward the window, thinking.
"Our financial situation is stable now, but we still must be cautious. If Bayern also wants him, the price will rise quickly."
Klopp nodded. "I know. That's why we need to act early — before the bidding war begins."
He paused briefly, then added:
"And we must offer something Bayern cannot."
Watzke turned back. "Playing time?"
"Exactly."
Klopp smiled slightly. "At Dortmund, he wouldn't be sitting on the bench behind world stars. He would be part of the core project immediately. That matters to a player like him."
Watzke considered the idea carefully.
"You really believe he would choose us over Bayern?"
Klopp shrugged. "Young players don't always choose the biggest badge. Sometimes they choose the place where they can grow fastest."
---
Scouting Report
Peter Klavic soon entered the office carrying a folder filled with notes and match analysis.
"Here's the updated report," he said, handing it over.
Watzke flipped through the pages.
Age: 17
Position: Forward / Attacking midfielder
Strengths: Acceleration, ball control under pressure, creativity in tight spaces, decision-making
Psychological profile: Competitive, disciplined, highly motivated by long-term goals
Transfer outlook: Increasing interest from multiple European clubs
Watzke looked up.
"This is quite impressive for a seventeen-year-old."
Klopp nodded. "He isn't just talented — he's mentally mature. That combination is rare."
Peter added, "Several clubs have already started monitoring him closely after the Audi Cup match."
"Which clubs?" Watzke asked.
"Bayern, Barcelona scouts, and at least two Premier League teams."
Watzke exhaled slowly. "Then we really don't have much time."
---
Klopp's Vision
Klopp stepped closer to the desk.
"Imagine this: a young, dynamic attack built around speed and pressing — players who can grow together for years. Ken fits perfectly into that system. His playing style matches Dortmund football."
Watzke smirked slightly. "You already built the entire tactical plan around him?"
Klopp laughed. "Not yet. But I can already see how he would fit."
Then, with unusual seriousness, he added:
"Players like him don't appear often. If we miss this chance, another club will build their future around him instead."
---
Humor Amid Pressure
Watzke watched Klopp's intense expression and shook his head.
"You're staring at me like that again."
Klopp leaned forward slightly. "Because I need you to believe me."
Watzke raised both hands. "Relax. I said I understand. Just stop looking at me like that — I have absolutely no interest in men."
For a moment, the room fell silent — then Peter burst into laughter, followed by Klopp himself.
Even Watzke couldn't help smiling.
"Alright," the CEO said finally, "let's speak seriously. What do you propose?"
---
The Plan
Klopp answered without hesitation.
"Contact his agent. Express our interest clearly, but don't push aggressively yet. Let him know that if Ken wants immediate development and real match minutes in Europe, Dortmund is ready to provide that environment."
Peter nodded. "I can arrange communication today."
Watzke added, "And prepare a financial evaluation. If negotiations begin, we need to know our limits."
Klopp crossed his arms confidently. "If the player wants to grow, we stand a real chance."
---
Meanwhile in Munich
At the São Paulo team hotel, Ken finished a light recovery session in the gym. The semifinal victory had attracted massive attention, but he kept his routine unchanged — stretching, ball touches, short sprints. For him, consistency mattered more than headlines.
Wagner entered the gym holding his phone.
"You've become quite popular overnight," he said.
Ken smiled. "That sounds dangerous."
"Not dangerous — valuable," Wagner replied. "Several clubs are asking about you. But don't worry, nothing will be rushed. We'll choose carefully."
Ken nodded calmly. "As long as I keep playing regularly, everything else can wait."
Wagner studied the young player for a moment.
"You know," he said, "most players your age would already be dreaming about contracts and endorsements."
Ken picked up a ball and rolled it under his foot.
"My dream is to play in the World Cup. Everything else comes after."
---
Back in Dortmund
Klopp stood alone on the training pitch later that afternoon, watching the team's youth players run drills. His thoughts, however, were elsewhere.
He imagined how Ken would fit into the pressing system, how his quick decision-making could accelerate transitions, how his fearless style could energize the squad.
Peter walked over.
"I contacted his agent's office. They confirmed they're reviewing several options, but no decision yet."
Klopp nodded slowly.
"Good. That means we still have a chance."
Peter smiled. "You really want this one, don't you?"
Klopp replied quietly:
"Some players change matches. Others change teams. Very rarely, a player appears who can change an era. I want to make sure we don't miss him."
The evening lights began turning on across the training ground as Dortmund's preparations for the upcoming season continued.
Somewhere else in Europe, transfer negotiations were quietly starting to form — and though Ken had not yet chosen his future, several major clubs had already begun shaping their strategies around him.
The race had begun.