David had no time to ponder the fans' complicated feelings about the team or the verbal jabs tossed at them from coaches like Tosak. His days were instead consumed with relentless travel across Europe. Even when he heard about Tosak's harsh criticism of the club and of Alonso specifically, he shelved it for later—he had more pressing matters.
David had always been a man who believed in paying back provocations in kind. If someone crossed him, and he had the means to retaliate, he would—without hesitation. It was a principle, or perhaps a creed, that governed his life.
For now, however, he chose not to waste time on grudges. His immediate focus was assembling the strongest possible squad for Notts County before returning to address unfinished business.
David's first stop was the Netherlands. His meticulous eye for talent led him to extract several promising players on modest budgets:
- Dirk Kuyt joined from Utrecht for €1.2 million. Though diligent and hardworking, Kuyt was not yet indispensable for Utrecht, making the amount an agreeable deal. For David, Kuyt's future ran far deeper than Utrecht's lack of imagination.
- Wesley Sneijder was quietly taken from Ajax's youth system for just €500,000 in training compensation. At only 17 years old, Sneijder embodied raw potential and versatility.
- Khalid Boulahrouz, nicknamed "The Cannibal" for his aggressive tackling, was signed from RKC Waalwijk for €300,000. Already defensively sturdy, Boulahrouz was a natural gamble for strengthening the backline.
David's foray into Dutch football ended here, despite the country's abundance of emerging talent. He intentionally avoided overly populating his squad with Dutch players, given their historical reputation for dressing-room disharmony. With his squad built on unity, David preferred to maintain balance.
From the Netherlands, David redirected his focus to Italy, pulling emerging talents from across every professional tier.
- Antonio Di Natale, a late-blooming striker from Serie B side Empoli, joined for just €300,000. At 23, Di Natale was a solid but overlooked talent, one that David believed could flourish with the right guidance.
- Christian Maggio was signed from relegated Vicenza for €1 million. At only 20, the right-sided winger held promise and versatility.
- Fabio Grosso, plucked from Serie C side Chieti, came aboard for €100,000. David had moved quickly to secure the future left-back before Perugia could act. In hindsight, it was a bargain steal.
- Dario Hübner, an unlikely yet fascinating acquisition, joined from Piacenza for €300,000. At 34 years old, Hübner was deep into his career, yet was still at his peak form. The previous season, he had claimed the Serie A Golden Boot at an astounding age. Hübner perhaps represented an anomaly in David's recruitment policy of favoring youth, but David's rationale was clear: Hübner provided experience, consistency, and a guaranteed scoring presence while nurturing younger strikers like Villa and Di Natale.
David's next port of call was Portugal, where he sought under-the-radar talents and rising stars:
- Raul Meireles, an all-around midfielder, was signed from Portuguese second-tier team Aves for €250,000—a modest price for a player with a bright future.
- José Bosingwa, an attacking full-back, joined from Boavista for €450,000. David made the move just in time, as Boavista had been close to loaning the player elsewhere. Bosingwa's athletic profile and potential perfectly complemented David's broader vision.
Though the deals for these two players were straightforward, David encountered resistance at Porto, a club known for its savvy dealings in the transfer market. These were the moments that tested his resolve.
David's primary target at Porto was Ricardo Carvalho, a brilliant but reserved central defender recently returned from a loan spell. Porto had not yet elevated Carvalho to "untouchable" status, and David's €4 million bid tempted them. However, the obstacle lay with Carvalho himself—he was reluctant to join a third-tier English team like Notts County.
David, however, was persistent. He laid out his grand vision for the club, detailing the squad's current rebuilding and emphasizing its Premier League ambitions. His sincerity, combined with his bold investments, ultimately convinced Carvalho to board the proverbial "thief ship." The defender agreed to the move.
The bigger challenge was Deco, a creative maestro whose skills made him a crown jewel of Porto. David's €10 million offer—combined with a €1 million annual salary for the player—was enough to turn heads.
Yet, Deco had one major hurdle: he was Brazilian, uncapped by any national team, and therefore ineligible for a UK work permit. Without legal clearance, he wouldn't be allowed to play. The solution required ingenuity.
David negotiated an agreement to buy Deco and loan him immediately back to Porto for two years, during which the club would pay his salary. Over those two seasons, Deco would qualify for Portuguese citizenship and an EU passport, allowing him to legally join Notts County's squad in the Premier League.
David envisioned Deco alongside Alonso as his midfield's dynamic playmaking duo. The wait, he believed, would be worth it.
David's final stop was France, where he swooped in for the unknown Franck Ribéry from US Boulogne for €80,000. At the time, Ribéry was a scrappy, unpolished talent with no fanfare, but his determination and potential caught David's eye. By the time Ribéry signed, he was practically sprinting to follow his new chairman, suitcase in hand.
While David traversed Europe, his club staff in England worked behind the scenes to complete two additional transfers:
- Joleon Lescott, a commanding defender, signed from Wolverhampton for £400,000.
- Ben Foster, a young goalkeeper, joined from Stoke City for £600,000.
By the time David's European adventure ended, Notts County's squad had taken remarkable shape. With marquee signings in every position, the club now boasted depth, balance, and star potential—ready to compete on all fronts.
"It's not just a team," David mused, reflecting on his efforts. "It's the foundation of a dynasty."