Football Transfer Bulletin: Today's rumours, gossip & odds as Dyche's Crystal Palace odds plummet

Click here for Sky Bet's Transfer Specials

Click here for Thursday's Paper Talk

Click here for done deals & rumour round-up 

1730: Worrying news for Burnley fans, Sean Dyche is now as short as 1/5 to be the next Crystal Palace manager following a run of backing.

The Clarets boss was previously favourite for the job before Roy Hodgson’s leapfrogged him in the betting earlier in the week, but Dyche’s price has now plummeted to an all-time low, with Hodgson out to 8/1.

Former Liverpool defender Mauricio Pellegrino (not to be confused with a compound of Mauricio Pochettino and Manuel Pellegrini) has also been backed for the post and is now 5/1 second favourite.

Dyche appears to be tempted by loftier aspirations at Selhurst Park, having led Burnley to promotion and then kept them comfortably in the Premier League despite having the least expensively constructed side by some distance.

The Eagles have already secured the future of their most valued asset Wilfried Zaha with a new contract this summer, while Dyche’s direct style should suit striker Christian Benteke.

Meanwhile, Leicester have confirmed that Craig Shakespeare has been appointed on a full-time basis.

1355: A line coming via Sky sources ahead of tomorrow morning’s release list announcement from Manchester United; Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be offered a new contract at Old Trafford.

The Swedish 35-year-old, who had his season ended prematurely due to a cruciate ligament injury, is out of contract this summer and the club will reportedly not exercise their one-year extension option.

A move to the MLS is now considered most likely for Ibrahimovic at 11/10 with Sky Bet, while he’s 10/1 to join any Chinese club and 12/1 to return to AC Milan.

Another breaking story coming out of Sky suggests that Middlesbrough will decide between Garry Monk (2/7) and Nigel Pearson (7/2) to fill their vacant managerial position.

1320: One interesting sub-plot of this transfer appears to be the impending awakening of one of Europe’s sleeping giants, AC Milan.

The San Siro outfit have not finished above sixth in Serie A in the last four seasons but are expected to launch a summer of big spending under their new owners.

Their hunt for a marque striker signing is central to their aspirations, with three of Europe’s top strikers seemingly in their sights.

The Chinese Super League was expected to lure Diego Costa away from Chelsea but it is Milan’s Chinese investment which is now supposedly leading the race.

Sky Bet still rate a move to China as slightly more likely at evens to Milan’s price of 5/4 to secure his services, while the Spain international is 6/1 to stay after Stamford Bridge after revealing isn’t needed by Antonio Conte.

However, they are also reportedly in for Torino’s prolific marksman Andrea Belotti and half the price of Manchester United (4/1) to land the Italian.

The market which they are shortest odds in is that of Moussa Dembele’s future, with the Celtic frontman 4/5 to move to Italy and 15/8 to stay with the domestic treble winners.

Prior to the emergence of United’s interest, they were favourites to sign Alvaro Morata but has since drifted out to 5/1, while they’re also considered in the betting to land Jack Wilshere (5/1) and James Rodriguez (14/1).  

Whether any of the above materialises remains to be seen, but it is certainly good to have the Rossoneri back in business.

1005: The futures of two players hang in the balance this morning, with Diego Costa seemingly unwanted by Chelsea while Liverpool have dropped their Virgil van Dijk interest.

Costa, whose complaints are likely to attract about as much sympathy as Theresa May if Labour win the Election, is insisting that Antonio Conte has signalled his time at Chelsea is over, coinciding with the Blues being just 1/6 to re-sign Romelu Lukaku.

The Brazilian turned Spain international has hardly been a beacon of loyalty at Chelsea, complaining about living in England and reportedly refusing to train amid interest from China in January.

They also had to fight off interest from Atletico Madrid last summer and are now seemingly actively trying to move the striker on.

However, Atletico are unable to do business during the current window due to the upholding of their transfer ban, while there’s little to suggest a solid offer from a Chinese Super League club.

Sky Bet still make China the most likely option with odds of 8/13, while AC Milan are the only other single-figure odds chance at 5/1.

Van Dijk is certainly not short of suitors this summer, but the short-priced favourites Liverpool have now ruled themselves out of the running, having previously been perceived the Dutchman’s favoured option.

Seemingly afraid of a transfer ban of their own, the Reds issued an apology to their favoured source of signings on Wednesday evening after being reported for an alleged illegal approach.

Manchester City are now the 6/4 favourites to secure Van Dijk’s services, while Chelsea are a 11/2 chance, but Liverpool are not completely written off at 3/1.

0815: Reports in the Daily Star suggest Wayne Rooney is danger of pricing himself out of a return to Everton.

Sky Bet make him 15/8 to rejoin the Toffees but you can get 11/10 on Rooney moving to any Chinese club.

Another viable option for England’s record goalscorer is to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and head Stateside. It’s 5/1 he ends up at an MLS club.

Among many other rumours in today’s papers, Riyad Mahez has been strongly linked with Chelsea, who are 5/1 third favourites to sign him.

Arsenal head the betting at 5/4, with French champions Monaco close behind at 6/4.

0730: We'll start today's Transfer Bulletin with an update on Manchester United's reported chase of Alvaro Morata.

Last night Sky sources claimed the club will continue negotiations with Real Madrid for the Spain international, although the Champions League and La Liga champions are believed to want around £78million for him.

Morata has emerged as Jose Mourinho's first-choice target for a new striker after their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid ended, and he'd certainly excite supporters at Old Trafford having scored 20 goals in all competitions for Real last season.

Sky Bet make Morata 1/3 to make the move to United during the summer transfer window while it's 5/1 he stays with the club he rejoined from Juventus in June last year for £26.2m having won two Serie A titles and two Coppa Italias during his two-season spell in Turin. 

AC Milan are 5/1 to sign him, with Chelsea next in the running at 7/1.

United could instead turn to Torino's Andrea Belotti, who has a £87.3m release clause in his contract, if they fail to agree a deal for Morata and Sky Bet make United 4/1 second favourites to sign him.  

Belotti is 2/1 to end up at AC Milan and the same price to stay where he is.

This week's previous bulletins

Click here for Wednesday's Transfer Bulletin

Click here for Tuesday's Transfer Bulletin

Click here for Monday's Transfer Bulletin