Sky Bet look at the transfer targets they deem most likely to be brought in to fill the gap in Liverpool's attack.
Wednesday 20 August 2014 09:47, UK
In a recent statistical write up by Whoscored.com, over 60 per cent of Skysports.com readers named Marco Reus as the much-needed forward they believe Liverpool should sign before the summer transfer deadline.
The overwhelming support for Reus came as no surprise, given the German’s undoubted talent, but also the fact that the Dortmund forward was pitted in the poll with relatively unknown, albeit promising, peers.
Having now signed Belgian youngster Divock Origi and loaned him back to Lille, Liverpool are unlikely to target another continental starlet, while online bookmakers Sky Bet deem the signing of Reus relatively unlikely as he’s 1/3 to go to Atletico Madrid, if anywhere.
In the wake of Liverpool’s opening weekend win over Southampton, boss Brendan Rodgers acknowledged his need for reinforcements up front and, according to Sky Bet’s transfer odds, there are five forwards Liverpool are more likely to sign than Reus.
In order of likelihood, Sky Bet run through the potential targets for last season’s Premier League runners-up.
French daily sports newspaper L’Equipe suggest Liverpool are monitoring Lavezzi’s situation at PSG, and Sky Bet make the Argentine their most likely signing in the forward department. At present, he’s even-money to move to Anfield before the deadline, but whether the move comes off may depend on PSG’s other transfer activity. They may be unwilling to offload Lavezzi without guaranteeing the services of their number one target, Angel Di Maria. But, having said that, they may need to sell before they can buy, hence the 50-50 chance given by the bookmakers. Interest in Lavezzi to Liverpool is gaining momentum, with the 29-year-old backed in from 3/1 to 1/1 this week.
Initially installed as 12/1 outsiders for Bony’s signature, Liverpool were backed in as short as 2/7 to sign the Ivorian in July, before news of their interest in Loic Remy surfaced. With the Remy deal looking nailed on, Liverpool’s odds on signing Bony drifted back out to 19/10, but they were re-installed as the favourites once they opted out of a move for the QPR striker. And favourites they remain, with the odds of 6/5 suggesting Bony is Liverpool’s second choice after Lavezzi. Brendan Rodgers may prefer to avoid the inflated domestic market within the Premier League, but Bony is an option.
Thoughts of signing Cavani would have been a pipe dream for fans some 12 months ago, but according to Sky Bet’s odds it’s possible that he’ll be a Liverpool player by the end of the transfer window. They were as long as 28/1 a month ago, but Liverpool are now 5/4 frontrunners in a quintet of Premier League clubs thought to have a chance of signing the Uruguay international. Chelsea are 3/1, Arsenal are 7/2, while Manchester pair United and City are 5/1 and 6/1 respectively. However, Daniel Sturridge has been hailed as the new ‘main man’ in Liverpool’s attack following the departure of Luis Suarez, and one wonders how the England international would react to Cavani arriving.
Although clearly not a long-term solution, Eto’o is an experienced option and, unlike other mooted targets, would not command a transfer fee. Liverpool weren’t available to bet on when the market on the Cameroonian’s future was opened, but betting commenced upon request, and he was quickly backed in from 11/8 to 5/4. Ajax have since come into strong contention, and the two clubs are now joint-favourites at 5/2, although it’s not clear if Liverpool have made an offer. The 33-year-old has stated his desire to have at least one more season in the Premier League, but his preferred choice, Arsenal, have distanced themselves and are 16/1 as a result. Tottenham are reportedly monitoring his situation and are available at 6/1. Liverpool remain the favourites though, but Eto’o could well be a back-up option should they fail to negotiate a fee in time for any of their other targets.
Uncertainties have surrounded Falcao’s future since day one of his move to Monaco from Atletico Madrid. Almost immediately, rumours surfaced of plans for Falcao to return to La Liga with Real Madrid, and it’s the Champions League holders who remain favourites for his signature a year later. The Colombian is 1/2 to return to Madrid, albeit with his former employers’ fiercest rivals, with Liverpool given a 3/1 chance. Supposedly, the Reds made a cheeky enquiry about Falcao’s availability, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Being the most glamorous target on Liverpool’s radar beyond Reus, Falcao is deemed the least likely to sign.
