Big-name Wolves star to come up against Cristiano Ronaldo after being offered lucrative Saudi Arabian transfer
A senior Wolves attacker could surprisingly end up playing Cristiano Ronaldo next season following a big-money contract offer from a Saudi Arabian team, according to a report.
Ronaldo left Manchester United for a second time in November last year. He and the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract following an explosive interview in which the striker complained about several aspects of Man Utd.
Ronaldo revealed he wanted to remain in Europe and play for a team who were competing in the Champions League, his favourite club competition. However, Ronaldo instead went to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr.
The Portugal legend’s contract with Al Nassr runs until June 2025 and is worth an astonishing €200million (£177m) per year. That includes his salary for representing Al Nassr and for promoting the country as a whole.
So far, Ronaldo has made 13 appearances for the club, registering 11 goals and two assists.
There have been rumours about a few big names following Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League. Roberto Firmino was briefly linked with a move there, though it is far more likely he will remain in Europe for a couple more seasons.
Philippe Coutinho was also tipped to leave Aston Villa and move to the Middle East. So far though, the former Liverpool man has stayed put.
Wolves winger Adama Traore can now be added to the same list. According to French source Foot Mercato, Al Nassr’s rivals Al-Ittihad ‘want to enlist’ the pacy wide man during the next transfer window.
Wolves man offered major contract
They have proposed a lucrative contract to his representative, well-known super-agent Jorge Mendes. Mendes has already dealt with the Saudi Pro League once as he represents Ronaldo and was instrumental in helping the five-time Ballon d’Or winner swap Man Utd for Al-Nassr.
The report does not reveal how much Traore could earn by taking up Al-Ittihad’s offer. But it would be way more than the £55,000 a week Spotrac claim he currently takes home.
The Spaniard must now decide where he wants to go next in his career. His Wolves deal expires at the end of the season, and he is unlikely to remain at Molineux after a tough season.
This summer may not be the right time for Traore to swap England for Saudi Arabia. He is only 27 years old, so he could play in one of Europe’s top-five leagues for the next three years at least.
If playing at the top level is Traore’s priority, then he will reject Al-Ittihad and move elsewhere, potentially back to Spain. But, as shown by Ronaldo’s transfer, the money Saudi clubs can offer is always very hard to turn down.
Traore is not the only player who could depart Wolves in the summer. Thursday’s Transfer Gossip provides the latest as Man Utd battle Liverpool for one of Julen Lopetegui’s best players.
