When Richard made the decision on the spot to slash the price by 50%, AS Roma's upper management was thrown into turmoil.
Currently, Cafu was already recognized as one of the best right-backs, at least an ideal fit for Roma's current system. The club needed a reliable and dynamic full-back, someone capable of making overlapping runs, providing width, and delivering accurate crosses. Cafu's style of play perfectly matched the tactical direction Roma was aiming for.
Italian clubs in the 1990s were increasingly investing in South American talent—particularly Brazilians—due to their technical skills and flair. Having Aldair at Roma may have also helped convince Cafu to join them
The problem was the £12 million price tag, which would consume Roma's entire transfer budget. And now, Manchester City decided to cut the price to just £6 million—plus Francesco Totti. This sparked intense conflict between the upper management and the current manager.
