Leeds United have been installed second favourites to sign Liverpool striker Ben Woodburn in the January window, according to the latest bookmakers’ odds.
Sky Bet priced the Yorkshire giants at 16/1 on Thursday morning to land the Wales international before the window shuts at the start of February.
Leeds’ Championship rivals Sunderland (1/2) are the clear favourites to land the 18-year-old, while Norwich City are 16/1 and fourth-placed Bristol City come in at 20/1.
The Yorkshire giants’ place high in the betting comes after the Mirror reported that Leeds have made an approach for the Welsh teenager following Jurgen Klopp’s decision to loan him out for the rest of the season, provided he is guaranteed significant playing time.
Woodburn burst onto the scene in a game against Leeds last season, becoming Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the age of 17 years and 45 days as he slotted home at the near post to secure a 2-0 EFL Cup quarter-final win.
He has made just one Liverpool appearance this season, in the League Cup, but he was an unused substitute in Monday’s 2-1 Premier League win against Burnley.
Good move for Leeds?
Yes. Woodburn has all the attributes to “become a great player”. That is the verdict of his former international manager Chris Coleman, who is now in charge of Sunderland. His eye for goal, mobility and appetite for the big occasion make him an exciting package, and he would certainly add a new dimension to a Leeds front line short on quicksilver pace and directness. Woodburn has a brilliant scoring record in youth football and has showed in his run-outs for Liverpool and Wales that he could be the real deal.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Possibly. Sunderland appear to be in pole position, with Coleman’s knowledge of the player a key factor. It is almost certain he will go out on loan, barring a mass injury crisis among Liverpool senior forwards, where Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge, Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings block Woodburn’s path to a first-team spot. The Merseysiders are likely to insist upon their young star getting regular appearances at the Championship club he joins.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10