Could Sheffield Wednesday sign the Bournemouth winger this summer?
Odds on Sheffield Wednesday signing Max Gradel have been halved to 6/1 since the weekend.
Gradel is one of seven wingers currently on Bournemouth’s books and looks to be on his way out of Dean Court this summer, with the Sunderland Echo reporting that he could be available for as little as £3 million, amid interest from Sunderland AFC.
Bournemouth’s Max Gradel
Wednesday are yet to be formally credited with interest in the Ivorian, but are now second favourites to sign him with bookmaker Sky Bet, behind the Mackems.
So what’s behind the sudden change in the market? HITC takes a look.
It fits…
Wednesday could well be after another winger this summer, especially one like Gradel who is known for his pace. Combine that with those reports suggesting the 29-year-old could be available and have interest from elsewhere in the Championship, and a move to Hillsborough certainly seems plausible. In fact, we explored that very possibility here only yesterday, which may or may not have had an impact on betting patterns.
The ITK brigade…
Having said that, the recent traction can perhaps be best put down to the following tweet, which was posted on Sunday morning by @MagicAccas (1,457 followers) – claiming to be an agent of 26 years.
In little more than half an hour, @MagicAccas’ post was regurgitated by @FL72Transfers__ (1,945 followers), and later repackaged by the former in a not so subtle attempt to generate further publicity. You’ll never see that fiver, by the way.
It’s true…
Changes in the market often mean very little, interesting as they may be. But occasionally, sudden odds tumbles such as Gradel’s are based on substance. This was the case in the lead up to George Boyd’s transfer to Hillsborough earlier this summer. Wednesday appeared to be out of contention on the Friday morning, but went from 10/1 to 1/8 with Sky Bet in only a matter of hours. Later that night, The Star reported that a two-year deal was in place, and Boyd became an Owls player the following Monday.
Could Sheffield Wednesday sign Bournemouth’s Gradel this summer?
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal with chairman Dejphon Chansiri
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