Inside scoop on the LPL transfer window: Viper is more eager to come to China, HLE reluctantly let go, and ended up signing GUMA.

Hello to all LPL viewers and League of Legends summoners, this is Tianxia Game Report.

The biggest transfer in this LPL season was bringing Viper from the LCK region, meaning this is Viper’s second stint in the LPL, signing with BLG, whereas Gumayusi departed from T1 and finally joined HLE.

Editor

Recently, the HLE team captain revealed details about this transfer, sparking discussion among fans.

LPL transfer insider: Viper really wanted to come to China

From the fans’ perspective, opinions vary on Viper’s transfer. The key question is which player—Viper or Gumayusi—has higher priority, and which one HLE preferred to sign. Some fans believe Gumayusi, as a three-time champion bottom laner and Finals MVP, should have a higher priority than Viper.

However, looking at past transfer market trends, Viper commanded top-tier salary levels for the bottom lane in the LCK, so HLE might not rank Viper below Gumayusi in priority.

HLE’s captain confirmed this crucial point in his revelation: the team highly valued Viper, calling him a “legacy” level iconic player for HLE. Multiple negotiations for renewal took place, but Viper’s strong desire for a new environment and fresh challenges led management to respect his decision and let him go.

This was a tough decision for HLE.

Regarding Gumayusi, HLE’s captain said they did not expect him to become a free agent. Once parting ways with Viper became certain, they quickly confirmed Gumayusi’s free agent status and promptly pushed through contract negotiations to finalize the signing.

BLG’s salary offer was not competitive; Viper prioritized team setup

According to HLE’s disclosure, they indeed aimed to renew Viper first and only turned to Gumayusi after confirming Viper would not stay, using him as Plan B. This shows how important Viper was to HLE, which is also reflected in his previous salary.

Considered a cornerstone player, Viper ultimately chose BLG, likely because he valued BLG’s team environment more.

The main reason for wanting to leave might be Viper’s belief that Knight has stronger skills. Many felt Zeka was HLE’s biggest weakness this year, unreliable in critical moments. Also, changes in the jungle position influenced Viper’s decision to depart from HLE.

This analysis is grounded in the fact that although BLG is a relatively wealthy LPL club, it is not on the same level as HLE, the biggest powerhouse in LCK. Viper’s salary at BLG is significantly lower than what he earned at HLE.

Moreover, this salary space was only freed up after Bin voluntarily reduced his own salary, highlighting the situation clearly.

BLG must deliver results and fix internal problems

I personally believe BLG’s signing of Viper this transfer window is their greatest fortune. Despite not offering the highest salary, they secured Viper and strengthened their roster. Now, BLG must repay fans with strong performances.

BLG’s exit in the round of 16 at Worlds shocked and disappointed fans, so changes are necessary. First, team discipline needs improvement as players often displayed arrogance and poor professional attitudes.

Secondly, team strategy must be enhanced. BLG relied heavily on a brute-force style this year, trying to overpower opponents quickly without proper maneuvering. When opponents resisted, BLG became impatient and suffered heavy defeats.

With Viper joining, BLG needs to establish a clear team core. Viper is a player who can lead the team, so he should be given greater authority. Daeny also carries a heavy burden. Only by making thorough changes can BLG realize their potential and achieve strong results.