CRISTIANO RONALDO has been tipped to join Wolves due to the ‘Portuguese connection’ in a shock prediction by Troy Deeney.
The Watford legend and new SunSport columnist can see the 35-year-old star coming back to England after leaving Manchester United 11 years ago.
Watford’s Troy Deeney made an interesting prediction during an entertaining co-hosting session on Talksport’s Drive show.
Ronaldo came off the bench to score for Portugal last night in a 7-0 rout of Andorra Credit: Getty Images – Getty
This is how we could see Ronaldo slipping into the Wolves line-up if he was to make this shock move and the manager stuck with his tried and trusted 3-4-3
But instead of making a return to Old Trafford, as some reports have suggested, Deeney sees Wolves as the likely destination because of the large number of fellow Portuguese players in the squad, along with the role of his agent Jorge Mendes.
Co-hosting talkSPORT’s Drivetime show, he said on Ronaldo’s future: “I’d more look at a club like Wolves, with that Portugal connection. That would probably work.
“I think whoever is getting him is still getting an unbelievable talent.
“This season I think it’s six [goals] in four he’s already got in Serie A.
“Obviously he’s had two weeks off with coronavirus and thankfully he’s back playing.
“But I think you’re not going to get the same Ronaldo that you had at Man United. I think that’s always going to be the comparison.
“You look at Gareth Bale for example now. He’s gone back to Tottenham Hotspur and you’re comparing him already to the one that left to go Madrid.”
Ronaldo enjoyed a fantastic goal-scoring record for Juventus last season and, despite his Covid-19 struggles, is also looking strong this campaignCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club
Deeney, 32, also said that the financial incentives were worth thinking about as well.
He added: “Obviously from a marketing perspective, he adds so much value to whatever club he goes to because shirt sales are going to go through the roof.
“So, if he is available, I would be very surprised if it wasn’t a top 10 [club] trying to sign him in the Premier League.”
It could be an exciting proposition for Ronaldo to link up with many of his international team-mates at club level.
Portugal internationals in the Wolves team include Rui Patricio, Nelson Semedo, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Daniel Podence.
Wolves’ manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, is also Portuguese, as is Ronaldo’s agent Mendes.
The huge Portuguese representation in the squad almost backfired last month when Ronaldo’s positive coronavirus test sparked fears Wolves players could also be affected.
Fortunately for the Premier League club, they all tested negative.
Ronaldo has scored in both league games for Juventus since returning from his self-isolation.
Man Utd ‘in talks over sensational Cristiano Ronaldo transfer return next season as Juventus look to offload superstar’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
