Kaka's words hung in the air, and Arthur blinked in mild confusion.
"Other signings besides you?" Arthur repeated inwardly, his brow creasing. To him, that was as natural as putting socks on before shoes. What kind of club buys one player and then just closes the chequebook forever?
But as their eyes locked, Kaka seemed to realise just how odd—or worse, insulting—his comment had sounded. His cheeks turned slightly pink, and he fumbled with his words, rushing to clarify.
"I… I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan," he said quickly, his usual composure cracking. "It's just that—well—in my impression, Leeds United was nearly bankrupt not too long ago. And Gaetalo mentioned to me that you paid over forty million euros for my transfer. I thought… maybe Leeds wouldn't…"
He trailed off, clearly too polite to finish the thought. But the meaning was already as obvious as a penalty kick in stoppage time.
Arthur could practically hear it anyway: I thought you'd blown the whole budget on me.
For a beat, the room fell silent, then Arthur suddenly burst into laughter. A deep, amused, belly-shaking laugh.
"Hahahaha! Kaka, you underestimate me and Leeds United far too much!" Arthur chuckled, slapping the table with the back of his hand.
Even Allen, who had been half-distracted, chatting quietly with the two agents on the side, couldn't hold it in. He leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Good one," he said between laughs.
Kaka sat there, embarrassed but smiling faintly, unsure whether to laugh along or shrink into his seat.
When the laughter eased, Arthur's face grew more serious. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, and spoke with the kind of gravity that left little room for doubt.
"Don't worry, Ricardo," he said firmly. "Leeds United is not AC Milan."
The words landed with weight.
Arthur continued, his tone steady but laced with quiet pride. "In this transfer window, you are not the only headline signing. In fact, I've already finalised another major deal. And I won't rule out the possibility of more reinforcements."
Kaka blinked. "Major signing?" His tone betrayed surprise.
Arthur's eyes glinted, and his lips twitched upward. "Of course. Leeds United isn't some tottering club limping along. We're building something real. Let me tell you this much—we paid off every bit of our debt last year. Clean slate. And today, our finances are healthier than almost every club in Serie A."
He paused for effect, letting the words settle, before adding, "Kaka, I can't reveal the name of the other signing just yet, but I'll give you a hint. Between you and him, Leeds United has already spent close to one hundred million euros."
The impact was immediate.
Kaka's eyes widened, and he sucked in a sharp breath. "Hissss…" His shoulders lifted slightly as the number sank in.
He knew his own value: forty-five million euros. Which meant the mystery man cost around fifty-five. Maybe more.
Another signing worth more than me? His mind began to race. Images flickered like a film reel in his head—world-class strikers, midfield generals, iconic defenders. Each face flashed before his imagination, from Zidane to Ronaldinho to Henry. The possibilities were dizzying.
Arthur watched the flicker of awe in his expression and couldn't help grinning inwardly. He knew exactly what Kaka was picturing: the cream of Europe's elite. The thought of it had clearly rattled him.
The truth, of course, was far less glamorous. It wasn't Zidane, Ronaldinho, or Henry. It was Adriano—brilliant but broken, a player who'd spent more time drowning sorrows than scoring goals lately. If Arthur dropped that bombshell right now, Kaka might think Leeds' manager had completely lost his mind.
So Arthur wisely kept his lips sealed. Better to let the Brazilian stew in glorious, star-studded possibilities than risk him recoiling at the truth.
He picked up his water glass and took a deliberate sip, breaking the tension. "So," he asked lightly, setting it back down, "do you have any questions about this?"
Kaka hesitated, his mind still buzzing with curiosity, but then forced himself back to focus. "Uh… no, Mr. Morgan," he said at last, nodding earnestly.
Arthur smiled faintly. Good. At least that line of questioning was closed off.
Patient as ever, he leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. "All right then," he said smoothly. "Do you have any other questions?"
Kaka fell silent, thinking. His expression flickered between hesitation and resolve, as though weighing whether to speak at all. Then, finally, he looked up, his voice softer than before.
"Well… it's not really a question, more of a request."
Arthur tilted his head slightly. "Go on."
Kaka cleared his throat, embarrassed. "The salary details, Gaetalo has already explained to me. I know Leeds won't treat me unfairly on that front. That part is fine." He paused, almost stalling, before continuing carefully. "But… my brother, Digão, he's still at AC Milan. If possible… I'd like to ask you to bring him to Leeds United as well."
The words hung in the air, timid but clear.
Arthur froze, his brow instantly furrowing. His lips pressed together in a thin line.
Digão. He knew the name well enough. Unlike Kaka, who was a midfield maestro and one of the brightest talents of his generation, Digão was a central defender of… let's say modest ability. Nothing spectacular, nothing groundbreaking. A perfectly serviceable professional, but not exactly the type to set Elland Road alight.
Arthur's instincts bristled. This request was going to be tricky.
*****
To be honest, Arthur knew very well that as Kaka's younger brother, Digão's footballing ability wasn't even half of his sibling's. Talent clearly didn't run in equal measure within the family.
Back when Galliani had wanted to sweeten the deal with Kaka, he spent around 500,000 euros just to bring Digão over from São Paulo to Milanello. But really, that move had been more about family comfort than actual footballing logic. After all, Milan's defensive line at the time was stacked with world-class names — Nesta, Stam, Kaladze. Trying to squeeze Digão into that mix? It was about as likely as a local pub player waltzing into a Champions League final.
Predictably, Digão never got close. He was loaned out to Rimini in Serie B, with the idea that he'd get experience before returning to Milan when his loan expired. But the reality was plain — his level wasn't close to what top clubs required.
Arthur, as Leeds United's manager and mastermind behind its rise, wasn't the type to indulge in sentimental signings. Not even for Kaka, a player he valued enormously. When it came to team building, Arthur's philosophy was absolute: no compromises, no half-measures, no passengers. If you weren't good enough, you weren't getting in — end of story.
And yet… as Arthur sat across from Kaka and saw the younger man's hopeful eyes, he hesitated. Kaka's request wasn't about football logic, it was about family. It was about ensuring his brother wasn't cast adrift once he himself made the jump to Leeds.
Arthur drummed his fingers lightly against the table, weighing the options. He didn't want to shatter Kaka's enthusiasm with a flat refusal. After a long pause, he suddenly turned toward Allen, who had been listening quietly on the side.
"Allen," Arthur asked casually, "how did Real Sociedad finish this season?"
Allen didn't even need to think. He leaned back and said, "Boss, they got relegated."
Arthur's face lit up instantly. "Perfect."
That was exactly the solution he needed. Kaka wanted security for his brother — a place to play, a contract, something stable. Fine. Arthur could provide that without compromising Leeds' standards. Real Sociedad, a club Arthur still held shares in, had just been relegated. They'd be playing in the Spanish Second Division next season. What better environment for Digão to actually get minutes, without taking up valuable space at Leeds?
Yes, that would do nicely.
Arthur leaned forward again, a calm smile spreading across his face. He wanted to reassure Kaka, but also make it clear that he wouldn't bend Leeds United's structure for anyone.
"Kaka," he began carefully, "I know your brother. Our scouts even handed me a report on him some time ago. To be honest, I must tell you that with his current strength, he cannot enter the Leeds United squad. And given his age, he also isn't a candidate for the youth team. That's just the truth."
The words made Kaka shift anxiously in his seat. He opened his mouth to protest, to defend his brother, but Arthur calmly raised his hand to silence him before he could get going.
"But," Arthur continued smoothly, "that doesn't mean there isn't a solution. I can buy him. He will become part of our system. Then I'll arrange for him to go on loan — Real Sociedad in the Segunda División next season. There, he'll have the chance to play and prove himself. If he's strong enough, he'll climb. If not, at least he has stability and opportunity."
The effect was immediate. Kaka's tense shoulders relaxed, his words stalled before leaving his lips. His expression softened as relief washed over him.
Arthur knew he'd struck the right chord. Kaka wasn't naïve — he knew as a professional player that football was ultimately merit-based. You had to earn your place. What he feared wasn't his brother failing, but his brother being abandoned without chances. Arthur's compromise gave both: a professional contract, a secure future, and a realistic platform to play.
And, crucially, Arthur had said the words "I can buy him," not "I'll loan him." That carried meaning. It meant permanence. It meant Digão wouldn't just be a tagalong who'd get sent back once Kaka moved. It was a small gesture that meant a great deal.
Kaka's face broke into a smile, his earlier worries dissolving. "Thank you, boss," he said warmly. "That… that means a lot. Really."
Arthur simply nodded, satisfied. In his mind, it was a small concession for the sake of harmony, one that wouldn't impact Leeds' core. And if it made Kaka even more committed, it was worth every cent.
With that final concern cleared, the atmosphere shifted. The tension drained away from the room, leaving only anticipation. Kaka pushed his chair back, stood up, and extended his hand with a bright grin.
"I have no more questions, Mr. Arthur… no, boss. After the holiday, I'll report to Leeds United on time!"
Arthur rose too, meeting him at eye level. He grasped Kaka's right hand firmly, his own smile genuine and brimming with confidence.
"Welcome to Leeds United, Kaka."
The handshake wasn't just symbolic. It sealed the deal. A Brazilian superstar in his prime was now fully onboard, worries dispelled, loyalty strengthened. For Arthur, it was another decisive victory in his relentless mission to transform Leeds into a European powerhouse.
And for Kaka, it was the start of a new chapter — one where he'd be central, valued, and supported, not just as a player, but as a man bringing his family with him into the future.