Wednesday 28 January 2015 18:35, UK
With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Sky Bet uses the odds to guess whether some of the most talked about deals will go through in time.
Juan Cuadrado
The odds on Juan Cuadrado joining Chelsea this transfer window have refused to settle since Sky Bet started trading on his future on January 20. With an initial price of 7/4 to move to Stamford Bridge, the Colombian winger has since hovered around the evens (1/1) mark, but he’s spent more time in the odds-on side of the divide, suggesting Chelsea could well get their man. He’s been as short as 8/13 for the move and Sky sources claim the 26-year-old is eager to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, with Fiorentina’s reluctance to sell for anything less than his £26.8m buy-out clause a stumbling block. However, the Blues have given themselves enough time to negotiate a deal, so this is one transfer the bookmakers expect to go through.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Moves to Chelsea
Memphis Depay
Sky Bet are expecting Tottenham and Manchester United to be leading contenders for the services of the 20-year-old Netherlands international in the final days of the window. Spurs are marginal favourites at 15/2 compared to United’s price of 10/1, although remaining at PSV is considered the most likely outcome with odds of 1/9. The Dutch outfit are sure to demand significant compensation for their prize asset, who has scored 11 goals in the Eredivisie this season. There are also questions over how the winger would fit in at White Hart Lane or indeed Old Trafford, with both clubs possessing plenty of competition for places in his position.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Stays at PSV
Darren Fletcher
Fletcher hasn’t featured for Manchester United since starting against Yeovil in the FA Cup at the start of the month, although he did make the bench for the first time in three games at Cambridge. Reports suggest West Ham are poised to move for him and Sky Bet’s odds back that up, with the Hammers as short as 1/6 to be his next club. The Scot is currently 10/1 to still be a United player by the end of the summer transfer window, with West Brom (5/1) and Valencia (25/1) considered the other contenders. It would seem this deal is West Ham's to lose, the only question being whether they pull it off in this window or the next.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Moves to West Ham
Aaron Lennon
The 27-year-old winger’s career has stagnated under Mauricio Pochettino, slipping down the pecking order this season, behind Erik Lamela and Andros Townsend for the right-wing berth. He was not even named in Spurs’ match-day squad for their FA Cup defeat to Leicester despite Pochettino making nine changes, doing little to mute suggestions that the club are willing to listen to offers. Certain sections of the media have suggested Stoke are interested but Sky Bet report nominal interest for the Potters securing his services despite lengthy odds of 22/1, with Hull (2/1) and QPR (6/1) heading the odds. Given the lack of a clear interest, staying at Tottenham is the shortest price at 4/6.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Stays at Tottenham
Mario Balotelli
Such has been Mario Balotelli’s lack of form in a Liverpool shirt, Sky Bet began taking bets on his future as early as October. Back then, it was deemed fairly unlikely at a price of 1/10, and a move this window remains even more doubtful at the current odds of 1/16. Manager Brendan Rodgers seems prepared to work with what he has at least until the summer. Should a swift Anfield exit for Balotelli materialise against the odds, Juventus (18/1) is thought to be his most likely destination, with Inter (25/1) and Lazio (25/1) continuing to drift.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Stays at Liverpool
Andre Schurrle
Sky Bet's odds suggest Chelsea will land Cuadrado - and that could mean Andre Schurrle will be allowed to leave Chelsea. Schurrle is odds-on to return to his homeland with Wolfsburg. The Bundesliga side are the odds-on favourites for the World Cup winner’s signature, with his price to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the latest deadline currently standing at 9/4. However, Wolfsburg look as though they’ve got a little bit of competition from Borussia Dortmund, who have come in to 2/1 second favourites. Liverpool, meanwhile, are all but ruled out at 33/1, amid a handful of half-hearted reports linking the Reds with the German.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Joins Wolfsburg
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Reports claiming Ezequiel Lavezzi failed to show up for PSG’s mid-winter training camp in Morocco have added fuel to the ever-burning fire regarding Liverpool’s supposed interest in the Argentine. As such, it will come as no surprise that the Reds are favourites to sign him this month, with the price fairly settled at 100/30. That makes him 4/9 to remain with the French champions, although he may well be offloaded sooner rather than later as PSG look to balance the books to meet UEFA’s Financial Fair Play requirements. With 25 goals in 111 appearances for PSG, Lavezzi is hardly the prolific marksman Brendan Rodgers has lacked this season, but he can play in a variety of advanced roles, which will no doubt appeal.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Stays at PSG
Stevan Jovetic
Since it became clear Manchester City were in advanced talks with Swansea over the signing of Wilfried Bony, Stevan Jovetic’s future has been the subject of increased speculation. However, the 25-year-old has always been odds-on to stay at the Etihad this window, with his odds shortening continually from 1/3 to its current price of 1/10. Juventus are thought to be open to selling Paul Pogba to City, with Jovetic potentially going to Turin as part of the deal. However, any mega-deal of the sort is unlikely take place until the summer at least, with Juve rated 5/1 to sign Jovetic this month.
Sky Bet's predicted outcome: Stays at City
Odds are subject to change. New customers of Sky Bet can claim a free £20 bet off their first £5 stake. Sign up here.
