Betting update: Odds dramatically shorten on Leeds signing England international
Transfers

Betting update: Odds dramatically shorten on Leeds signing England international

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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By Harry Sykes

The odds have been shortened considerably on Leeds signing Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing this month.

Bookmaker Sky Bet priced Leeds at 33/1 last week to land the 35-times England international after reports emerged that he will be allowed to leave the Stadium of Light during the January window.

The latest odds from Sky Bet show a dramatic fall in the price, with the odds on Downing moving to Leeds before the transfer window cut-off now 10/1.

Crystal Palace are once again the favourites in the race at 11/10, ahead of Premier League duo West Ham (7/1) and Sunderland (9/1).

But Leeds are now priced ahead of a slew of Championship rivals in the Downing race, with Aston Villa (16/1), Birmingham, Derby, Hull and Brighton (all 25/1), Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday (all 33/1) relatively distant in the betting.

Sky Sports revealed on their official Twitter account last week that Downing would be allowed to leave Aitor Karanka’s side on loan until the end of the season.

Downing is in a second spell at boyhood club Boro after rejoining from West Ham in the summer of 2015.

The winger, who is renowned for his pace and dribbling ability, has had a fine career in the English top flight that once earned him a £20million transfer to Liverpool.

He has remained a regular for Boro this season, particularly in the opening three months of the campaign, although his 19 matches in all competitions have yielded only one goal and two assists.

Downing was an unused substitute last weekend for Boro's goalless Premier League draw against Watford.

He has spent most of his career in the English top flight, making 395 Premier League appearances and a further 45 in the Championship.

Leeds manager Garry Monk has consistently stated that he is in the market for attacking reinforcements this month, with a striker and a winger his main priorities.

In other Leeds transfer news, Monk has made a shock transfer revelation after meeting with new owner Andrea Radrizzani.

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Leeds United
Middlesbrough
Stewart Downing
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