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Window Watch

Sky Bet's in-house writers discuss betting trends on some of the most mooted deals in the January transfer window.

Sky Bet's writers discuss betting trends on some of the most mooted deals in the January window.

Julian Draxler

Although highly rated throughout Europe, Arsenal appear to be the only Premier League side interested in bringing Julian Draxler to England. The Schalke playmaker, who can also play on the wing, is destined for a big move in 2014, but whether Arsenal can negotiate the right deal in time before the January transfer deadline is another matter. Nonetheless, with little or no competition, they are odds-on (1/3) to sign him this month. Favourites for signature: Arsenal

Diego Costa

It is well known that Chelsea are short of firepower, with Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o struggling to find consistency in front of goal, and Atletico Madrid hitman Costa fits the bill. The Brazilian striker has been scoring for fun in La Liga, and has been backed in to 6/4 in the Sky Bet transfer market to make the switch to west London. The fee could be the stumbling block, but the Madrid club's liking for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtios, on loan from Chelsea, could push through the deal. Next club odds

Dimitar Berbatov

The general consensus is that Arsenal are a little short of options up front to maintain their title push, particularly with injuries to Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott of late. Will the Gunners buy big and target the likes of Real Madrid's Karim Benzema or opt for proven Premier League talent on the cheap? Sky Bet suggest the latter, going 5/6 on Arsenal signing former Tottenham favourite Dimitar Berbatov to aid their quest for a first Premier League title since 2003-04. Favourites for signature: Arsenal Next club odds

Mario Mandzukic

After the capture of Juan Mata, it seems Manchester United are serious about strengthening their squad afterall, and after David Moyes flew to Germany on Friday to see Bayern's clash with Borussia Monchengladbach, it is believed that the Red Devil's chieftain was there to see the Croatian hitman in the flesh. Having a been a long-term admirer of the striker from his Everton days, Sky Bet have made Moyes' men favourites to capture the 27-year-old, and with the imminent arrival of long-coveted Robert Lewandowski to Bayern, Mandzukic certainly would be willing to listen to offers from a host of Premier League clubs. Favourites for signature: Man Utd Next club odds

Yevhen Konoplyanka

Liverpool looked set to complete a move for the Ukrainian winger in the final week of January, but the deal has hit a delay over the proposed fee. The Reds are still 1/3 favourites to complete the transfer before the deadline, but Tottenham have entered the race, with a flurry of bets seeing them backed in to 9/4 to hijack the move to Merseyside. Favourites for signature: Liverpool Next club odds

Luke Shaw

High quality left-backs are hard to come by, so it's little surprise to see such interest in much-hyped Southampton youngster Luke Shaw. Quite whether he's worth the reported £30million Southampton supposedly want remains to be seen, but Chelsea are the favourites for his signature having registered their interest. The Blues will be in no rush to thrash out a deal this month as they're already sufficiently covered at left-back, but may see Shaw as a future stalwart in that position. He could, however, go straight into Manchester United's starting XI and they're favourites (8/11) to land him this month. Favourites for signature: Man Utd Next club odds

Ilkay Gundogan

The growing array of self-proclaimed 'hipsters' will tell you Ilkay Gundogan is the real string-puller at last season's UEFA Champions League finalists Dortmund. A cultured, deep-lying playmaker, the Germany international has just returned from injury and has only 18 months remaining on his current deal, meaning the Bundesliga side must consider any substantial offer that comes their way this month. He fits the bill for Manchester United's needs, but they're not the only club interested in luring him away from his homeland, with Barcelona (4/1) and Real Madrid (8/1) willing to go head-to-head for his signature. However, United's needs are much greater than the Spanish giants and they're 7/2 favourites to wrap up a deal this month. Most likely outcome: Stays at Dortmund Next club odds

Pedro

Pedro is another player who is linked with a move away from his club every window, but the Barcelona forward has never stated his desire to leave the club for more regular football. An undoubted talent, Pedro appears content as a valuable squad player for the Catalan giants, but so long as he's only in-and-out of the side he'll remain a target for other clubs. Liverpool are often linked with Barcelona's fringe players and the Reds are 7/2 favourites as the only club to have sustained any real support for a move in the betting this month, but it would appear an unlikely winner as things stand. Favourites for signature: Liverpool Next club odds

Adam Lallana

Manchester United fans are crying out for a 'big-name' signing in midfield, but the reality is David Moyes could be forced into the domestic market the longer the window drags on without a big buy. They could do a lot worse than adding Southampton playmaker Adam Lallana to their ranks. Although not the star name the fans have been demanding, the England international is enjoying a fine season in the Premier League and a move to Old Trafford would do wonders for his chances of getting on the plane to Brazil. At 6/4, Lallana appears a more likely signing for United than Ander Herrera (2/1), Vidal (7/4), Gundogan (7/2) and Juan Mata (11/2). Chelsea are thought to be keeping tabs on the situation and are 4/1 second favourites. Favourites for signature: Man Utd Next club odds

Leighton Baines

Despite the move failing to materialise in the summer, Leighton Baines' switch to Manchester United seems far from dead. Baines had been odds-on in the Sky Bet market throughout the entire window to secure a move to Old Trafford, and punters have not been put off by United's lack of activity so far, especially with the Red Devils' form continuing to falter. Chelsea are second favourites to land the England full-back with Ashley Cole remaining out of favour. Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are also available in the market. Favourites for signature: Man Utd Next club odds

Yohan Cabaye

With his form as impressive as it's ever been, Yohan Cabaye's future at Newcastle continues to be shrouded in uncertainty. Having expressed an interest to leave in the summer, Cabaye has been welcomed back to the Newcastle fold, and has been in prolific form, notching seven goals already this campaign. Sky Bet make PSG favourites to secure the Frenchman's services, but a move to Arsenal cannot be ruled out after the Gunners made an unsuccessful bid to lure him to the Emirates last summer. However, the online bookmaker go odds-on that he ends up staying at Newcastle this month. Most likely outcome: Stays at Newcastle Next club odds

Fabio Coentrao

Another summer move that almost materialised was Fabio Coentrao's proposed switch to Manchester United, with the loan move falling through as the deadline arrived. The Portugal international's lack of first-team football at Real Madrid sees him odds-on to move to the Premier League champions to add some much-needed competition for Patrice Evra's left-back spot. Tottenham and Chelsea are both still attracting interest from punters, but it seems the Red Devils will be Coentrao's most likely destination should he secure a move away from the Spanish capital. Favourites for signature: Man Utd Next club odds

Danny Ings

Emerging as one of the most prolific hitmen in the Sky Bet Championship, Danny Ings has attracted plenty of interest from the Premier League, with his current side Burnley struggling to fend off advances. Fulham have overtaken Liverpool as favourites to land the 21-year-old striker, despite the Reds being linked for some time now. The Cottagers will need to improve their goal tally if they are to remain in the Premier League, and see Ings as a long-term solution. Southampton (7/1), Cardiff (10/1) and Sunderland (12/1) are also in the running. Favourites for signature: Fulham Next club odds

Rickie Lambert

With competition for a starting berth fierce at Southampton, Rickie Lambert may look elsewhere to ensure he has the best possible chance to be part of England's plans for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. Premier League strugglers West Ham have been backed in to 1/5 in Sky Bet's market to snap up the 31-year-old as they look to form a formidable forward-line with Andy Carroll, and the move looks increasing likely after the recent departure of Saints' executive chairman Nicola Cortese. Favourites for signature: West Ham Next club odds

Jordan Rhodes

With 16 Sky Bet Championship goals to his name already this term, Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes has attracted much punter interest to make the step up to the Premier League in the January transfer window. Rovers boss Gary Bowyer admitted that the club would sell Rhodes for the right money, thus seeing a flurry of bets on a host of possible destinations. Everton and West Brom have been favourites to snare Rhodes, but Championship big-boys Nottingham Forest and QPR are also in the running. Favourites for signature: Nottingham Forest Next club odds

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