The odds have tumbled on Leeds United re-signing winger Max Gradel from Bournemouth this summer, according to the latest bookmakers’ prices.
Sky Bet have priced the Yorkshire giants at 9/1 to land the Ivory Coast international before the transfer window shuts at the start of September.
Only Sunderland (5/4) and Sheffield Wednesday (6/1) are ahead of Leeds in the betting race, while Hull are priced at a more distant 12/1.
Leeds were priced at 12/1 by Sky Bet to sign Gradel last Saturday amid reports that Bournemouth are willing to cash in on him this summer.
The fluctuating market suggests that there is interest from a number of clubs in the attacker, who is one of the most popular players in United’s recent history as a result of his exploits at the club during his two-year spell from 2009 to 2011.
He is is fondly remembered for his integral role in the club’s promotion from League One and for his ability to create and score goals, with his 82 appearances yielding 25 goals and 15 assists in 82 matches.
Gradel quit six years ago to join French top-tier side Saint Etienne and was a big success, scoring 31 goals in 117 matches.
But the 29-year-old’s return to English football has not lived up to expectations since Bournemouth paid a fee of £7million in the summer of 2015.
He was out for much of 2015-16 with a knee problem and was on the fringes in his second campaign, even though manager Eddie Howe showed great faith in the winger by sanctioning a new contract last summer that runs until 2020.
The two seasons have yielded just a single goal for a player who had always been a regular scorer before his second spell with the Cherries.
Leeds have already bought a number of new attacking players during the summer transfer window and completed the signing of striker Caleb Ekuban from Chievo on a four-year contract on Tuesday night.