The Coaching System-Chapter 142: Transfers, Goodbyes & Club Expansion

The transfer window was in full swing, and Jake barely had a moment to breathe.

Sitting in his office, he stared at the squad list on his laptop, scanning over the names of the players who had been put up for sale. Diego Castellón, Jack Simmons, Elliot Harper. Three players who no longer fit into Bradford's future, and now, it was time to move them on.

His phone buzzed. Michael Stone.

Jake picked up immediately. "Tell me you've got something."

Stone didn't waste time. "Wolfsburg is pushing hard for Castellón. They've matched the £3M offers from Lille and Wolves, but their contract proposal is the best. Looks like that's where he's headed."

Jake nodded to himself. Castellón had been a frustrating player—flashes of brilliance ruined by injuries and inconsistency. A move to the Bundesliga could be the fresh start he needed. "Take it. Get it finalized."

"Already in motion."

Stone continued. "Burnley is wrapping up the Simmons deal. £2M, no add-ons. Not a bad price for a backup keeper."

Jake leaned back, exhaling. Simmons had been reliable, but he was never going to push Okafor for the No.1 spot. Bringing in a younger keeper with more potential was the right move. "Good. What about Harper?"

There was a pause. Then, Stone sighed. "Only one serious offer—Preston. £700K. I pushed for more, but that's the best they'll go."

Jake drummed his fingers against the desk. Harper wasn't a bad player—just not good enough for where Bradford was headed. Hanging on to him for a better offer wasn't worth it.

"Accept it," Jake said finally. "Get them all done as soon as possible."

"Consider it done."

With that, three more players were off the books.

Now, it was time to bring new faces in.

The Transfer Targets

Jake switched to another tab on his laptop—the list of players Michael Stone was tasked with signing.

Roney Bardghji (FC Copenhagen) – The promising Swedish winger who had the potential to become a star.Matthew Cox (Manchester United Academy) – A talented young goalkeeper who could develop into a top-level shot-stopper.Reece Holloway (Arsenal Academy) – A developing right-back with solid defensive awareness.

Jake didn't need reminding that these were ambitious targets.

Bardghji, in particular, was being chased by clubs across Europe. Bradford wasn't the biggest name in the race. If they were going to sign him, it wouldn't be because of money or prestige—it would be because they could offer him something no other club could.

Jake rubbed his temple, deep in thought.

Could they actually convince him?

His phone buzzed again. Another message from Stone.

Michael: Bardghji's agent is open to talks. Setting up a meeting now.

Jake's lips pressed into a thin line.

This was their chance.

Novak's Future – The £35M Question

Jake barely had time to process the Bardghji situation before his phone screen lit up again.

Another message from Michael Stone.

Michael: Chelsea just submitted an official bid for Novak. Let's talk.

Jake exhaled slowly, pushing his chair back. It was happening.

He had known this moment was coming—Novak was too good to stay. 29 goals last season. The best striker in League One.

The big clubs had noticed. And now, Chelsea had made their move.

Jake grabbed his phone and dialed immediately.

"Tell me the number," he said, skipping the small talk.

Stone didn't hesitate. "£30M, up front. No bonuses."

Jake barely thought about it. "Push it to £35M."

Stone let out a short chuckle. "You sure? That's a big ask."

"He's worth it," Jake said firmly. "If they want him, they pay the full price."

Stone didn't argue. He knew the game.

Chelsea had come in expecting to set the terms, but this wasn't some desperate League One club begging for a payday. Bradford had leverage.

And if Chelsea wanted Novak, they were going to pay every penny.

The next day, Michael Stone sat in a call with Chelsea's representatives.

The video feed showed James Collins, one of Chelsea's senior negotiators, along with Novak's agent, Daniel Marek.

Collins was the first to speak. "We're prepared to offer £30M. Full payment upfront. It's a strong deal."

Stone leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "It's a good start. But Novak isn't leaving for anything less than £35M."

Marek, the agent, adjusted his tie. "Michael, let's be reasonable. This is a huge step up for Novak, and Chelsea is giving you a fair price."

Stone didn't even blink. "We both know what kind of player he is. 29 goals. He carried our attack. You want him? £35M."

Collins sighed. "That's steep."

Stone shrugged. "Then look somewhere else."

A brief silence.

Marek frowned. "Chelsea isn't used to negotiating like this with Championship clubs."

Stone smirked. "We're not a normal Championship club."

The pressure shifted. Chelsea had thought this would be a routine signing—swoop in, name a price, close the deal.

But now, they had to decide—was Novak worth the fight?

Collins adjusted his glasses. "We'll need to discuss with our board."

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Stone leaned back. "Take your time. Just know that if another club matches our valuation first, Chelsea misses out."

That hit home. The meeting ended.

For three days, nothing.

Chelsea hesitated. They countered.

They offered £32M. Then £33M.

Each time, Stone gave them the same answer. "£35M or no deal."

Meanwhile, Novak's agent was working both sides.

Marek called Stone the night before Chelsea's final decision. "You're pushing them hard."

Stone didn't flinch. "Because we know what we have."

Marek sighed. "Novak wants the move. He's ready for this step. Don't let negotiations kill this."

Stone ran a hand over his face. "Daniel, if Chelsea wants him, they pay full price. That's it."

Marek went quiet. Then, he let out a small chuckle. "You really won't budge, huh?"

Stone smiled. "Not an inch."

The next morning, the call finally came.

Collins, the Chelsea representative, sounded resigned.

"Alright. £35M. No add-ons. No clauses. Full cash payment."

Stone allowed himself a small grin. Bradford had won the negotiation.

A few days later, the paperwork was finalized. Novak signed the contract.

Bradford City had just completed their biggest-ever transfer sale.

The Media Frenzy –

The moment Novak's deal was announced, the headlines exploded.

"NOVAK JOINS CHELSEA FOR £35M!" – Sky Sports

"BRADFORD CASHES IN ON STAR STRIKER." – BBC Sport

"HOW WILL WILSON REPLACE HIS GOAL MACHINE?" – The Athletic

Everyone had an opinion.

Some called it a brilliant deal. Others questioned whether Bradford had just sold their best chance of survival.

But nowhere was the reaction louder than on the Bradford Fan Café.

Fan Café –

As expected, the Fan Café was split into two camps.

Some fans were furious.

CityTillIDie: We're finished. There is NO replacing Novak.

BantamLegend: Why did we sell our best player? This could ruin us.

ForeverBantam: We better have a plan, or this season is over before it starts.

Others were more optimistic.

RealistBantam: £35M? That money can transform this squad. Let's see what Jake does.

BradfordScout: We have to trust Jake. He's gotten us this far.

WilsonMagic: If this money gets us Bardghji and another striker, then maybe it was the right move.

Everyone had a take. But one thing was certain—Bradford's first star was gone.

And Jake needed to figure out what came next.

A Goodbye That Meant Something

Novak didn't leave quietly.

The night before his departure, he knocked on Jake's office door.

Jake glanced up from his laptop. "Shouldn't you be celebrating?"

Novak smirked. "Not my style, coach."

He stepped inside, his expression serious.

"I just wanted to say thank you."

Jake sat back, studying him.

"For what?"

Novak exhaled. "For everything. When I signed, I wasn't sure about this club. I wasn't sure about you."

He paused, shaking his head. "But you turned me into the player I am today."

Jake held his gaze. "You did that yourself."

Novak smiled. "Maybe. But I wouldn't have gotten here without you."

He extended a hand.

Jake took it. A firm shake. A mutual respect.

"Good luck out there."

Novak nodded. "You too, boss."

Then he was gone.

A Meeting That Changed Everything

Two days later, Jake sat in the chairman's office, arms crossed as he listened to Timothy Rollins lean back in his leather chair. The chairman's expression was unreadable, but there was something measured about the way he spoke.

"You've done well this window," Rollins admitted. "The board is impressed."

Jake didn't react. He had been in enough meetings like this to know when a statement was leading somewhere. Rollins wasn't the type to waste words.

Sure enough, the chairman exhaled, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk. "We've decided to expand the backroom staff budget. You can hire five new coaches and two additional scouts."

Jake's eyebrows twitched slightly. Now that was interesting.

More staff meant more expertise. More people who could analyze, train, and push the squad to another level. This wasn't just a minor change—it was a step toward professionalizing the club's entire structure.

"Any restrictions?" Jake asked, already thinking ahead.

Rollins shook his head. "I don't care where you get them from. Championship experience, foreign leagues—just get the best."

Jake nodded slowly. That was real trust.

"Anything else?" he asked.

Rollins smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Pre-season is finalized. All games will be played at home in Bradford. We want to build momentum with the fans before the season starts."

Jake nodded again. It made sense. Pre-season wasn't just about fitness—it was about making a statement.

Playing against Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, and the biggest clubs in the world? That wasn't just preparation.

That was proof.

Bradford wasn't a small club anymore.

Jake tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair, mind already racing.

Coaches. Scouts. The squad. The tactics.

Every decision mattered. Every move had to be calculated.

Because this wasn't about surviving in the Championship.

This was about building something that lasted.

And Jake wasn't here to waste time.

Fan Café – The Fixtures Drop

A few hours later, Bradford City's social media team posted the official pre-season fixtures, and within minutes, the internet was on fire.

Supporters flooded the club's official accounts, liking, sharing, and commenting at a rapid pace. The sheer magnitude of the announcement had caught everyone off guard.

Bradford wasn't just playing any teams.

They were stepping onto the pitch against some of the biggest names in world football.

Pre-Season Fixtures Announced

Bradford vs Inter Miami – Featuring Lionel Messi.Bradford vs Santos – Showcasing Neymar.Bradford vs Real Madrid – Highlighting Kylian Mbappé.Bradford vs Paris Saint-Germain – A test against European giants.

It didn't take long before the Bradford Fan Café went into meltdown.

ForeverBantam: "WE'RE PLAYING MESSI. WE'RE PLAYING MBAPPÉ. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"

BantamLegend: "This is insane. The whole world is going to be watching us."

WilsonMagic: "If we even get a draw in one of these games, I'll lose my mind."

YoungGaffer10: "Imagine Silva going up against Messi. This is unreal."

RealistBantam: "Let's be real. We're probably getting smashed. But who cares? This is the biggest thing that's ever happened to us."

TacticalWizard: "Forget the results. This is a chance to show the world what we're building."

BradfordScout: "Messi. Neymar. Mbappé. Against us. If you told me this would happen two years ago, I'd have laughed in your face."

The reactions ranged from shock to excitement, from optimism to sheer disbelief.

For years, Bradford had been a lower-league club, fighting for scraps. Now, they were stepping into the global spotlight.

Even the media had picked up on the announcement.

"Newly Promoted Bradford City to Face Global Superstars in Pre-Season" – BBC Sport

"Jake Wilson's Side Set for Blockbuster Friendlies" – Sky Sports

"From League One to Taking on the World – Bradford's Meteoric Rise" – ESPN

Sitting in his office, Jake scrolled through the reactions, smirking.

Let them talk.

Let them doubt.

Because when the season started, Bradford City would be ready.