Daniel Levy discussing fast to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after Antonio Conte’s exit

According to reports, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy met with Antonio Conte earlier this season about a possible move for Cristiano Ronaldo before the Italian manager was fired. Conte left Spurs by mutual consent during the international break last month, just weeks before the end of his contract, which was set to expire at the end of the season.

Conte frequently expressed his dissatisfaction with Tottenham’s player recruitment during his time in charge of the north London club, and was reportedly quick to dismiss the idea of signing Ronaldo last year when approached by Levy. According to the Daily Mail, a brief conversation was held in the canteen at Hotspur Way to discuss the possibility of signing the former United ace, though he was not pursued by Tottenham prior to his eventual move to Saudi club Al-Nassr.

Spurs were one of several clubs linked with Ronaldo’s services in the final stages of his time at Old Trafford, which ended in December when his contract was terminated in the aftermath of his controversial tell-all interview with Piers Morgan. According to reports, Levy discussed Ronaldo with Conte, but it was quickly decided that such a move should be avoided in order to continue the club’s efforts to sign other targets.

It’s unclear where Ronaldo would have fit in at Tottenham, with the Portuguese forward evolving into a central striker in his later years rather than the flying winger he once was. In the event of a move to the capital, he would have been unlikely to displace Harry Kane as Tottenham’s first-choice marksman, and he would almost certainly have demanded a wage package that would have made him the club’s highest earner despite his position as a starter not being guaranteed.