Even though Gilberto Silva was responsible for one of the biggest deals in the European transfer window, he actually didn’t have much experience in being an agent.
The former Arsenal midfielder had barely started his career as a representative when he mediated the €55m deal between Shakhtar Donetsk and Manchester United for Fred.
Gilberto Silva is now one of the owners of Partner Sports, which is based in Belo Horizonte, in Brazil. He invited journalists to talk about the company, and told a little about his first big client.
The agent gave details of how close Fred got to joining Manchester City back in January, but had the transfer blocked by Shakhtar Donetsk.
“About Manchester City, he had the chance to leave in January,” Gilberto Silva said (via UOL). “But Shakhtar vetoed, there was no conversation. A good offer arrived, even bigger than the one from now. But Shakhtar understood that he was the most important player of the club.”
“They didn’t want to negotiate, vetoed the exit. We did the planning which was to leave in the summer and he bought the idea. Everything we talked about, he understood the process, bought the idea. It was cool, because the conduct before Shakhtar within the negotiation was very correct. Professional conduct on our part and the part of him also, for not having lost his performance [after the failed move to Man City].”
“It was a negotiation opportunity that was passing. We explained to him and we said the club would not let him go. We could fight, but I said we wanted to do it differently.”
They waited, and in the summer it was Manchester United who came for Fred. Gilberto Silva cis very happy about the deal, as it means a good kick-off in his career as an agent.
“I think you start well. As it was the intention to do the international part with a new project. It’s a nice business card, a good start. But at the same time it brings greater visibility, which increases responsibility. What we want is to do great business. I hope this is the first of several.”
