'I do like to keep our transfer plans under wraps' – Burnley minority owner J.J. Watt tongue-in-cheek teases Cristiano Ronaldo move to Turf Moor

J.J. Watt sparked amused speculation among football fans after jokingly hinting that Burnley FC might target Cristiano Ronaldo in the transfer market. The former NFL star, who became a minority investor in Burnley alongside his wife Kealia in 2023, made the tongue-in-cheek remark during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

When McAfee brought up Ronaldo’s name while discussing potential signings following Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League, Watt responded with a grin: “I don’t think so, but I do like to keep our transfer plans under wraps, so you never know. We just keep things under wraps like those teams that are flying under the radar, and then all of a sudden…”

Watt's involvement with Burnley represents part of a broader pattern of American athletic figures investing in European football clubs. His engagement on mainstream American sports platforms, such as The Pat McAfee Show, helps raise the profile of Burnley, specifically, and the Premier League generally, among American audiences.

Burnley now face the significant challenge of building a squad capable of Premier League survival after finishing the 2024-25 Championship season as one of the best teams in recent years. While Ronaldo is unlikely to arrive at Turf Moor, the club's recruitment team should be actively working to identify realistic targets who can strengthen the squad ahead of their top-flight campaign.