The bookies update series has proved to be a very reliable source this transfer window. All three of the major market moves paid off but it also identified potential deals that were unlikely to happen. Whilst you never say never, Batshuayi was always said to be one of our top striker targets but was never any shorter than a 6/1 (14%) chance. If we were ever a realistic chance of signing him the market never really showed it – the odds just reflecting that we probably did make enquiries. On the flip side Arnie was 20/1 (4.76%) into 9/4 (30%) in a week and then into 1/6 (85%) in one day. It was another two weeks before he signed but the money told the story.
The incoming money from transfers is not far short of the outgoing fees paid so far this window. I am led to believe the difference is only about 6m quid before taking into account other expenses including wages. Considering our transfer budget and extra TV money you would expect the club to make one or two more signings before the window closes. My guess is that providing Adrian stays we will make two more signings and one will be a striker. I just don’t believe the club would be so foolish to be relying solely on what we have now, but there again they were prepared to play square pegs in round holes for the right back position for how long? The other signing will probably be a midfielder.
The strikers that are currently on the radar are;
Andre Gray he has been short in the market for a month now which indicates a deal is certainly being considered. Over the past few days Wolves have entered the race and they are now favourites to sign him. He has drifted from 11/8 (42%) to 5/2 (28%) over the past 48 hours but that is due to Wolves strengthening in the market as a formal approach has been publicised.
Raul Jimenez his price has hardly moved in the past fortnight. Rated at 2/1 (33%) after a plunge on him at double figure odds in one day, it is odds on he will remain at Benfica. The odds suggest he is certainly being considered. I am an unforgiving supporter though and anyone who couldn’t get out of bed to catch a plane to sign for us on loan a few years back is never going to be warmly accepted by this old fuddy duddy!
If we are to bring in a midfielder it would seem at this stage that it will be either Jota or Wilshere. Both players have been in every one of my bookies updates so far which confirms that interest in them has not waned. One is a young player, untested and a gamble, the other is a proven player with an awful history of injuries. That’s settled then!
On the Adrian front I am pleased to say that all the money in recent days has been for him to stay. It is back to a flip of a coin odds with Palace being the likely destination if the big fella does decide he wants a move. Not sure about you but I really believe Adrian may have a part to play this season, so I do hope he stays a Hammer.
The only other players under double figure odds are;
Keita Balde Diao has again been in the past few of my bookies articles. He continually drifts out in the market and is now 9/2 (18%). Press reports suggest he wants to stay in Italy but the fact he has stayed in the market suggests we have at least made an approach for him.
Moussa Dembele there are a few clubs ahead of us on this one but at 8/1 (11%) he rates a mention. I watched him a few times last season and for me he is overpriced if the current valuations being muted are correct – even in today’s bazaar transfer market.
Sami Nasri is one player who has slipped onto the radar in the past week and could possibly be an alternative to my Jota / Wilshere prediction. He is an outside shot at 10/1 (9%) but if anyone has been watching the International club friendlies over the past two weeks you could only be impressed. His past attitude at City has been questionable in my opinion, often looking quite disinterested but his recent form on their tour has been very good. He might just be putting himself in the shop window?
There is still a month to go before the window shuts and as we get closer to the 31st August many clubs will become more desperate to bring in players (and shop some out). Possible deals that have become too complicated or have stalled may be completely discarded and new targets will come onto the radar out of nowhere. So whilst the bookies update articles have been pretty accurate so far expect the whole transfer market to become less predictable and more volatile as the final days approach.