The bookies seem convinced the move will happen.
In a shock move that many didn’t see coming Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £22m move for Everton’s Marouane Fellaini, as Sky Bet slash their odds on the transfer going through.
Initially the bookmakers were offering 16/1 on the deal happening but in a sudden shift in prices in less than 24 hours, those odds have now dramatically dropped to Evens.
Up until Thursday it was widely believed that if Fellaini were to leave Goodison Park it would be to join former manager David Moyes at Manchester United, but now the Gunners are in pole position.
“Arsenal have been backed to sign various different players over the summer as Arsene Wenger looks to make use of a healthy transfer kitty,” Sky Bet Football Trader Chris Spicer told Sky Sports.
“But it was somewhat of a surprise to see such significant stakes on them to sign Fellaini.
“The towering midfielder does not seem to fit in with their footballing ethos but our punters certainly seem convinced a deal could happen.”
Clearly opinion in the market has changed and if the Belgian were to move to the Emirates Stadium it would signal Wenger’s intents for next season.
The most Arsenal have ever spent on a new player is the £17.5m they forked out for Jose Antonio Reyes in January 2004.
However, to land Fellaini the Gunners would have to meet the £22m release clause in the 25-year-old’s contract at the Toffees, although another impressive season for the Belgium international would make this fee seem worth it.
The midfielder scored 11 Premier League goals in the 2012/13 season and provided a further six assists.
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