Chapter 243: Beginning of a Storm

The meeting room was dimly lit, the only source of illumination coming from the large screen at the front displaying a list of names.

Several high-ranking officials sat around a polished wooden table, deep in discussion as the summer transfer window loomed closer.

"We need reinforcements on the wings. Our depth isn’t good enough if we’re going to challenge next season," one of the senior members said, tapping his pen against the table.

"We’ve had our scouts monitoring a few names, but none of them quite fit the profile we need."

"What about the South American lad? The one playing in Portugal?" another voice asked.

A younger executive shook his head. "Talented, but raw. He’d need a season to adapt, and that’s not a luxury we have.

We need immediate quality especially with all that’s going on with that winger."

The conversation continued, shifting from midfield reinforcements to defensive options. A few names were thrown around, some dismissed instantly, others met with nods of approval.

The discussion was methodical, and the decision-making process was cold and calculated.

Then, almost inevitably, the conversation took a turn.

A new slide appeared on the screen.

One name.

One player.

Izan Hernandez.

For the first time in the meeting, the room fell completely silent.

A long pause. Then, finally, someone spoke.

"We’re talking about him?"

"He’s the best young talent in Spain. Possibly in all of Europe. If we want to take a serious step forward, we have to at least discuss the possibility," said one of the club’s top executives, leaning forward.

"It’s not just about talent. He’s got that aura. The ability to win games on his own. A player like that changes a team. Changes a club.

He’s marketable too. Look at Valencia’s shirt sales at the start of the season and right now. He’s got the people in a chokehold too."

Another executive exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "It sounds great in theory. But let’s be realistic. First, he’s going to cost a pretty penny.

Second, we don’t even know if he’s willing to move. He’s made his stance on Valencia clear. And third—"

"And third, we don’t even know if Valencia are willing to sell," another person finished.

A brief murmur of agreement rippled through the room.

Izan’s contract situation was stable. Valencia were under no pressure to sell or at least that was what it looked like.

And after what he had just done in the Copa del Rey final, his value had skyrocketed.

One of the senior officials leaned back in his chair. "So what are we saying? That we shouldn’t even try?"

Silence again.

Then, finally, another voice broke through.

"I’m saying that if we go after him, we better be ready for a war."

The weight of those words lingered in the air.

The meeting room remained still, the air thick with contemplation. The decision on whether to pursue Izan Hernandez was not one to be made lightly.

Finally, the club’s sporting director reached for his phone. Without hesitation, he dialed the club president’s number. The room held its breath as the line rang.

A crisp, authoritative voice answered.

"Yes?"

The sporting director didn’t waste time. "We’re moving on one of the biggest talents in football. It won’t be easy, and it won’t be cheap, but if we want to take the next step, we need to make this happen."

A brief silence. Then—

"You’re talking about Izan Hernandez, aren’t you?"

The room exchanged glances. Of course, he already knew.

"We are. We believe he’s worth the pursuit."

The president sighed on the other end. "You’re not wrong. He’s a generational talent.

But Valencia will fight tooth and nail to keep him, and the boy himself has already expressed his desire to stay. Do you understand what you’re getting into?"

"Completely."

Another pause. Then—

"Alright. You have my approval. Start discussions with Valencia. And when the time is right… I’ll personally step in to make sure Izan understands why he belongs with us."

The sporting director nodded, despite the president not being there to see it. "Understood. We’ll begin the process immediately."

The call ended. The room remained quiet for a moment before a smirk spread across the sporting director’s face.

"Let’s get to work."

...…..

The contrast between the atmosphere in Valencia’s boardroom and the previous one was stark.

While the other club was preparing an ambitious pursuit, the Valencia board was dealing with a looming crisis.

The room was filled with tension. The club’s financial department head ran a hand through his thinning hair, his expression weary.

"We’ve managed to navigate the last few seasons well, but we’re still treading a dangerous line.

We’ve avoided a financial disaster so far, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods. If things don’t change, we’ll be forced into a corner."

The sporting director frowned. "Selling one of our assets, you mean."

A heavy silence settled over the table. Everyone knew what "asset" was being referred to.

Then, the club president—the most composed figure in the room—finally spoke.

"Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet. I’ve already made a plan for the worst-case scenario."

That sentence made everyone shift uncomfortably.

The other board members exchanged wary glances.

Worst-case scenario?

For a club like Valencia, that could only mean one thing.

Their most valuable player.

Izan Hernandez.

The tension in the boardroom was suffocating. The members sat rigidly in their seats, staring at the club president as if waiting for him to elaborate on his cryptic statement.

One of the directors, an older man with a sharp gaze, finally broke the silence.

"The worst-case scenario? You don’t mean—"

The president exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers on the polished surface of the table. "Izan Hernandez is the best player to come out of our academy in decades.

He’s already one of the top young talents in the world. His market value is astronomical, and it will only rise. If we were to sell, it could ease many of our financial burdens."

Another director shook his head. "Selling Izan? That would be a PR disaster. The fans would riot. They already worship him after the Copa del Rey final. We’d be the villains of Spain."

The president nodded as if he had anticipated this reaction. "Which is why we must do everything in our power to avoid that scenario. We don’t have many options.

But let’s be realistic… if a top club from England or Germany approaches with a serious offer, and if Izan himself is tempted, then we will have a decision to make.

Although he said he doesn’t want to leave, we don’t know when he’ll have a sudden change of heart."

The room fell silent again.

Everyone in that room understood the reality of modern football.

Valencia wasn’t like Real Madrid or Barcelona, clubs that could afford to keep their best players no matter what.

They had lost David Villa, David Silva, Juan Mata, Ferran Torres, and countless others to bigger clubs before.

Would Izan Hernandez be next?

One of the executives leaned forward, his voice cautious.

"And what if we fight to keep him? What if we offer him a new contract and refuse to negotiate?"

The president offered a wry smile. "Then we pray that Izan’s love for the club outweighs his ambition. And we pray that no club comes with an offer so large that it forces our hand."

The sporting director sighed, rubbing his temples. "We’ll have to monitor the situation carefully. If the media catches wind of this, it will be chaos."

The president leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

As the sun rose over Spain, the media world erupted.

Football headlines across Spain, England, and Germany were dominated by one name.

IZAN HERNANDEZ.

The Copa del Rey final had already cemented his reputation as one of the most electrifying players in Europe. Now, speculation about his future had once again taken center stage.

• Marca: "Will Valencia Be Able to Keep Their Crown Jewel?"

• AS: "Big Clubs Circle Around Izan Hernandez – A Summer Saga Incoming?"

• Sky Sports: "English Clubs Interested in Valencia’s Wonderkid?"

• Bild: "Bundesliga Giants Enter the Race for Izan Hernandez?"

The talk shows were buzzing.

On El Chiringuito de Jugones, the panelists debated heatedly.

"There’s no way Valencia can keep him long-term. This kid is a future Ballon d’Or winner!"

"But does he want to leave? Izan has always been loyal to Valencia!"

"Loyalty means nothing if a club like Real Madrid or an English giant comes in with at least €100M bid which I believe Izan is worth.

Even if Izan says no, who is to say Valencia won’t be tempted."

Meanwhile, on social media, Valencia fans were growing restless.

#IzanisValencia was trending across Twitter as fans flooded his posts with messages begging him to reject any offers.

But it wasn’t just Valencia fans talking. Fans from clubs across Europe were already imagining him in their colors.

"Bring Izan to Bayern. He’s the missing piece!"

"If Real Madrid gets him, they’ll dominate football for the next decade."

"Imagine Izan playing under Klopp in Liverpool. Unstoppable."

The season hadn’t even ended yet but the storm had begun.

And everyone was waiting for Izan’s next move.