The odds have been slashed on Leeds United signing Liverpool striker Ben Woodburn in the January window, according bookmakers.
Bet Victor priced the Yorkshire giants at 6/1 on Thursday afternoon to land the Wales international before the window shuts at the start of February.
Leeds’ Championship rivals Sunderland (1/1) are the favourites to land the 18-year-old, while Nottingham Forest (6/1) and Bristol City (8/1) are also well placed in the betting race.
Sky Bet priced Leeds at 16/1 at the start of last week to land Woodburn, when they were second favourites but well distant from 1/2 favourites Sunderland.
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 their Premier League win against Burnley on New Year’s Day.
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. Leeds fans would surely rather him run at Championship defenders that Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Jay-Roy Grot.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Possibly. Sunderland have been in pole position for some time, with Coleman’s knowledge of the player a key factor. But it appears that Liverpool are biding their time on making a decision on Woodburn, possibly even waiting until the end of the month before letting him go. Much will also depend on whether one or both of Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge exit on loan. Following Philippe Coutinho’s exit, it is highly unlikely all three will go.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10