Maybe it’s the perfect combo. Ancelotti identifies the players, Brands negotiates decent fees.
I dont see it that way.
I think Carlo has clearly gone to Brands and said "Look blue jeans, I really like that Allan fella at Napoli, would love to sign him", then I reckon Brands has gone away, looked at his scouting vids, asked his scouts then said "Ok Don Carlo, I will make it happen".
For me its crystal clear, every player signed while Brands is DoF is on his shoulders, the good, the bad and the very ugly, there is no middle ground.