After returning to Deventer, Arghana was still savoring the short holiday moment.
Amsterdam had certainly offered a different kind of atmosphere, but he knew that maintaining his physical condition was the most important thing.
So the next day, he returned to the training ground, even though there was no official schedule from the team. For him, staying fit was essential—especially after enjoying a bit of leisure time with Mas Alen.
The training field was empty.
Only the sound of his shoes pressing against the grass could be heard, mixing with the sting of the cold winter wind. Arghana didn't mind.
He needed to make sure his body stayed in top condition.
No coach, no team session—just him, the ball, and the running track waiting to be conquered.
In the middle of his solo training, his phone vibrated.
A message from a friend who often followed transfer news.
At first, Arghana thought it was just another random update.
But the moment he opened the message, his breath hitched slightly. His name was mentioned in a transfer rumor.
Fortuna Sittard and NAC Breda were reportedly interested.
Not only that, there was also interest from a club in Portugal and one from Ligue 1.
Arghana sighed, rereading the names of the clubs mentioned.
He had no agent to handle things like this, no one informing him that these clubs had started monitoring his performance.
He knew some media had started writing about him after his last few matches, but he never thought it would go this far.
If they were truly interested, the reasons were obvious.
His effectiveness over the last ten games had improved drastically. Even though he played in a lower-tier league, his stats had drawn attention.
There was also another factor—the Asian market, which had started to become attractive to European clubs.
And of course, his transfer fee, which was still affordable.
However, not everything was in his favor.
In the same scouting notes, his performances were still far from consistent.
To the teams considering him, Arghana was a bit of a lottery—a late-game spark, but unpredictable over the full match.
On top of that, after those explosive moments, he usually had to be subbed off.
That meant any team wanting to sign him had to be prepared to spend a substitution slot on him almost every game.
He fell silent, staring at the message once more.
This offer could be real, or it might just be media speculation.
But one thing was certain—Arghana was no longer just an overlooked foreign player.
The world had started to notice him.
===
Arghana sat in the corner of his room, staring at his phone screen still displaying news about his transfer rumors.
He had been reading and rereading the articles that mentioned his name in the summer transfer window list for over fifteen minutes now.
He let out a deep sigh before finally tapping a familiar number from his call list.
The phone rang only twice before Eric ten Hag's deep voice came through. "Arghana, how are you? I didn't expect you to call."
"Coach, I wanted to ask about this transfer news. I was never informed about anything.
I don't even have an agent, but my name's on the list?"
There was a brief silence before Eric ten Hag replied, his tone more cautious. "Yes, I saw it too.
That's a decision from management.
The club's director has taken over transfer matters. I wasn't involved in that decision."
Arghana ran a hand through his hair. He should've seen this coming.
He was just a young player—not someone with any significant influence at the club. "So… I'm really being sold this season?"
Eric ten Hag didn't answer immediately. "Not necessarily. It just means the club is open to listening to offers for you.
If the right one comes in, they'll let you go."
Arghana swallowed hard, trying to process the information. But before he could respond, ten Hag continued.
"One more thing, Arghana. I won't be here next season.
I'm heading to Germany to take the position as Bayern Munich II head coach."
Arghana froze. "What?"
"It's time for me to take the next step.
And I don't have the authority to bring you with me to Munich.
But one thing you should remember—you have potential.
If you really do leave Go Ahead Eagles this season, pick a team that can give you playing time and help you grow."
Arghana nodded slowly, even though ten Hag couldn't see it. Good advice.
But in his mind, only one sentence kept echoing:
How could a small-time player like me possibly have enough bargaining power to choose?