October 25, 7 PM (local time in Germany)
The Dortmund team bus arrived at the players' tunnel of Signal Iduna Park, greeted by the thunderous cheers of fans outside.
Players began stepping off the bus one by one.
"Shinji! Over here, Shinji!"
"Captain! Look this way!"
"Hey, Super Mario!"
"Ye, it's Ye!"
"Ye, don't leave us! Stay with Dortmund!"
"Stay, Ye! We love you!"
The moment Ye Chen stepped off the bus, the fans erupted into deafening cheers. He gave a thumbs-up to acknowledge their enthusiasm before following his teammates into the tunnel.
Every professional club has its own scouting and evaluation team, carefully analyzing the feasibility and profitability of potential transfers. Manchester United, for instance, was among the first to make a move. Sir Alex Ferguson and club manager David Gill were both in attendance.
PSG, having recently begun its era of extravagant spending, also showed strong interest in Ye Chen. Coach Antoine Kombouaré even stated in an interview, "The club is prepared to spend more than we did for Pastore," hinting at their intent to secure Ye Chen's transfer at all costs.
What Does PSG Need Now?
Exposure. They don't lack money, but they need attention. Signing Javier Pastore, known as the "Little Riquelme," for â¬43 million was only the first step. Ye Chen's meteoric rise perfectly fits their ambitions. And they're not being shy about itâthey want everyone to know how much they're willing to spend.
If â¬43 million was the price for Pastore, then the â¬50 million figure circulating for Ye Chen is likely meant to trigger his release clause.
But it's not just Manchester United and PSG in the mixâBayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are also watching closely.
Barcelona, riding high on recent success, is financially stable. Real Madrid's spending power needs no introduction.
As for Bayern, their financial approach has always been cautious. Having lost the Bundesliga title and failed to achieve notable success in the Champions League last season, they've fallen slightly behind. Still, the idea of paying such a hefty sum for a 17-year-old has left them hesitant.
If Ye Chen does sign with any club for â¬50 million, he will set the record for the highest transfer fee for a player his ageâa testament to his record-breaking nature.
For now, though, the transfer rumors remain speculative. With the winter transfer window still months away, the focus has shifted to a potentially record-breaking moment on the pitch.
Chasing a Guinness World Record
Recently, much attention has been drawn to the Guinness World Record held by Japanese player Masashi Nakayama: four matches, 16 goals, and four hat-tricksâa feat officially recognized by Guinness. Fans are eager to witness Ye Chen attempt to break this extraordinary record.
Inside the stadium, fans had already started to fill the seats, creating an electrifying atmosphere well before kickoff. Players, meanwhile, warmed up on the field.
For this match, Dortmund wasn't fielding its full-strength squad.
⢠Goalkeeper: Langerak
⢠Defenders: Schmelzer, Hummels, SubotiÄ, and Piszczek
⢠Midfielders: GündoÄan, Kehl, and Sven Bender
⢠Wingers: GroÃkreutz (left), Götze (right)
⢠Striker: Ye Chen
GroÃkreutz, known for his versatility, was given a free role on the pitch. Klopp had initially planned to start Shinji Kagawa, but a recent conflict between him and Ye Chen altered the lineup.
The Conflict
During the previous match against Cologne, Ye Chen had repeatedly outclassed and mocked Japan's Makino Tomoaki, even taunting him verbally after the game. This sparked outrage among Japanese fans, some of whom criticized Ye Chen's behavior, accusing fans who supported him of being traitors.
Shinji Kagawa's management agency had to issue a statement urging fans to keep politics out of football. They emphasized that Shinji and Ye Chen were good teammates at the club and would continue fighting together for Dortmund's success.
To avoid further controversy, Shinji Kagawa personally requested not to play in this match. Klopp justified the decision publicly, citing the need for Shinji to prepare for the next Bundesliga fixture.
The Build-Up
Fans roared with excitement as Ye Chen took the field for warm-ups. Banners reading "Don't Leave Dortmund, Chenye!" were prominently displayed in the stands. Ye Chen acknowledged the fans with applause before focusing on his drills.
"Ye, just get into position, and I'll make sure the ball reaches you," Mario Götze said with a grin as they sat on the bench before the game.
"Thanks! I'll make sure you get the assist," Ye Chen replied.
"That's perfect!" Götze laughedâevery assist earned him a â¬3,000 bonus under his contract.
Once the warm-up ended, the players gathered in the locker room for Klopp's final instructions.
"Listen up, everyone. We all know Ye has a world record within reach tonight, but the team's victory is our top priority. If Ye gets into space, pass him the ball. If not, find your own opportunities. Understood?"
"Yes!" the team responded in unison.
"Ye, how are you feeling today?" Klopp asked.
"Great!" Ye Chen replied confidently, his excitement building.
The Audience
The stands were packed, and the cameras began scanning the crowd. First to appear on the big screen was Lina, stunning as ever in her Dortmund jersey, tied at the waist to accentuate her figure. Next, the cameras panned to Jorge Mendes, seated with Guinness World Records officials.
Finally, the cameras captured David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson. But they weren't the only high-profile attendees. PSG coach Antoine Kombouaré, his assistant, and Bayern's Jupp Heynckes were also present.
Bayern, frustrated by Dortmund's dominance, had resorted to a tried-and-true methodâpoaching their rivals' best players. Over the next few years, Bayern would go on to sign Götze, Hummels, and Lewandowski from Dortmund, effectively ending their title ambitions.
Tonight, though, the spotlight belonged to Ye Chen and his pursuit of history.