Betting update: West Ham installed as favourites to sign Premier League talisman

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Published on:

30 Aug 2016, 5:01 am

By Joe Nelson

West Ham have been installed as favourites to sign Arsenal's Jack Wilshere on loan before the summer transfer window closes.

The Gunners talisman is 5/2 with betting company SkyBet to join the Hammers before the Wednesday night cut-off.

The odds narrowed on Wilshere joining West Ham on Tuesday morning but he is still 3/4 to stay at Emirates Stadium for the season.

Juventus are second favourites at 6/1 to sign the 24-year-old, while Valencia are 8/1 to land him by 11pm on Wednesday.

Among other Premier League clubs, Crystal Palace are installed at 10/1 to sign Wilshere, while Everton sit at 12/1 for his services.

The market has been opened on Wilshere after Sky Sports claimed on their transfer centre blog on Monday (10:27pm) that he would be allowed to leave on loan.

Whoever lands the Englishman, it will be a sensational move given Wilshere's status at boyhood club Arsenal and his long-held reputation as one of Europe's outstanding young players.

The 24-year-old has an extensive injury record starting back to 2009 when he suffered the first of many serious ankle injuries.

Despite having a minor knee injury in pre-season, Wilshere has recovered to be on the substitute's bench for each of Arsenal's three Premier League matches this season.

He has played 37 minutes, including the last 20 of Saturday's 3-1 win at Watford, but has slipped behind Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny and Aaron Ramsey in the pecking order for central midfield places at Emirates Stadium.

With Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi ahead of him in the battle for the attacking midfield slots, Wishere is now concerned about a lack of opportunities.

The former Bolton loanee has been sidelined throughout his career for 890 days, missing out on 154 matches for the Gunners.

In other West Ham transfer news, the Hammers face competition for this Premier League striker.

Juventus

West Ham United

Jack Wilshere