Dortmund responded swiftly.
They immediately matched Chelsea's offer.
Chelsea's bid was £9 million â a hefty price for a 20-year-old player from a lower-tier league.
But Klopp made the decision right after reading the scouting report...
He approved it!
Dortmund's offer came unexpectedly, but for the club, it didn't matter where De Bruyne went â as long as they got paid!
Thus, they accepted Dortmund's bid.
Now, two contracts lay in front of De Bruyne...
De Bruyne engaged in intense discussions with his parents and the team coach.
Eventually, De Bruyne called Ye Chen directly. "Ye, are you sure I'll get playing time at Dortmund?"
For young players, matches are essential for growth!
As the saying goes, training alone won't create genius players.
Only by competing in real games can young players develop quickly...
This is why top clubs prefer to loan out their players rather than let them train on their own grounds.
"Isn't that obvious? Did you watch the Gladbach match? I'm not trying to badmouth anyone, but if Chris Löwe can start, you definitely can!" Ye Chen replied confidently. "We're seriously short on players at Dortmund right now â you'll rotate in as a substitute immediately!"
"Chelsea wants me to finish the season at Genk, but I feel like if I'm transferring, I might as well leave right away to get an early taste of top-flight football."
"Doesn't that tell you everything? Chelsea's buying you for the future â Dortmund's buying you to fight for the title now!" Ye Chen continued to persuade him. "Have you seen our league standing? We're top of the table, and we're performing well in the Champions League. One more win and we're through to the knockout stage... But forget that, it's not important for you right now â Genk is already out. I'm just saying, if you join Dortmund, you'll play. You won't just be backup â you'll slot right into the lineup!"
Hearing Ye Chen's words, De Bruyne felt a surge of excitement!
Slot right in!
Wow...
That sounded intense â but he liked the sound of it!
"Alright, I know what to do!" De Bruyne hung up immediately and called Villas-Boas...
December 7th.
Germany was already freezing cold.
But Westfalenstadion was on fire.
Over 60,000 home fans packed the stadium to the brim.
Dortmund's final group stage match against Marseille was set to begin.
Ye Chen and Lina were also at the stadium, watching from an executive box.
"Ye, thank you so much today!" Lina smiled sweetly, holding Ye Chen's arm.
"No need to thank me," Ye Chen said casually.
For Dortmund fans, today's Champions League match was a grand festival â tickets sold out instantly.
Unless you paid outrageous scalper prices, getting a seat was nearly impossible.
Initially, Ye Chen had secured two front-row tickets for him and Lina.
But when Lina's roommate, also a Dortmund fan, found out, she asked if Ye could get three more tickets.
Ye Chen checked with the staff, and they arranged a small box for six people.
Even though it was a box, Dortmund's boxes were simple â just six chairs, nothing like the luxury suites in other stadiums with beds and lounges.
No distractions â just football.
"Ye, thanks again!" A petite girl with black-rimmed glasses, around 160 cm tall, said excitedly.
Another girl, wearing a Dortmund jersey, chimed in, "Ye, you're amazing! Lina's so lucky to have you as her boyfriend!"
The third girl, curvier and energetic, eagerly asked, "Ye, can I get your autograph later? I'm a fan of yours!"
The three girls were completely different types.
The first seemed quiet and gentle, the second athletic, and the third... well, she was "larger than life."
Ye Chen wanted to say, I'm your fan too.
But, of course, he stayed cool. "Since you're Lina's friends, just call me Ye Chen or Chen â no need to be formal."
"Really? Won't that be disrespectful?"
They were all around the same age, and after a bit of chatting, the initial awkwardness faded.
Soon, the players emerged. As the Champions League anthem echoed, Dortmund's fans erupted in deafening chants.
There's no denying â watching live beats TV any day...
Though, TV angles are still better.
"Ye, why don't you seem nervous at all?" Lina asked curiously, sitting beside him.
"Whether we win or lose, I'll accept it," Ye Chen replied calmly.
He had already prepared for the worst â if Dortmund dropped to the Europa League, so be it.
It wouldn't be bad to win the Europa League early in his career.
After all, he aimed to conquer the Champions League later â there wouldn't be another chance for Europa glory.
If Dortmund ended up in the Europa League, he'd make sure they won it.
A European trophy is still a trophy!
That said, Champions League exposure is on another level.
Europa League finals might not even draw as much attention as a Champions League quarterfinal.
"Welcome to Europe's most intimidating fortress â Westfalenstadion!"
"Tonight, we bring you the F Group clash between Dortmund and Marseille!"
"This match will determine the final standings. The winner secures a knockout spot! If Dortmund draws or loses, they'll head to the Europa League. It's a must-win for Dortmund!"
As the commentator's passionate voice filled the air, the starting lineups took the field.
The fans roared, cheering each Dortmund player by name.
Confidence filled the crowd â Dortmund had rested their key players in the last league game, saving everything for tonight.
And tonight's lineup was rock solid:
Forward: Lewandowski.
Left Wing: PeriÅ¡iÄ, Attacking Midfield: Kagawa, Right Wing: Götze.
Midfield: GündoÄan and Kehl.
Defense: Schmelzer, Hummels, Santana, Piszczek.
Goalkeeper: Weidenfeller.
Weidenfeller had recovered from a minor injury and returned after a day's rest.
On the Marseille side, familiar faces stood out â their manager, future French national coach Deschamps, as well as Azpilicueta, André Ayew, and Rémy.
Their keeper, Mandanda, was top-class too.
This was bound to be a clash of titans...
Whistle!
With the referee's blow, the final group stage match â the one deciding Ye Chen's Champions League fate â kicked off!
Ye Chen clenched his fist in the stands.
Even though he prepared for disappointment, he still longed for Champions League glory.
He wanted to be the first Chinese player to lift the trophy as a key starter!