West Ham United were leading the race for the Brentford star, but Middlesbrough are now the bookies’ front-runners.
Popular bookmakers SkyBET have installed Boro as the new favourites in the race to sign Bees ace Jota, ahead of previous front-runners the Hammers and Magpies.
The 26-year-old Spaniard was sensational for Brentford in the Championship last term, scoring 12 goals and chipping in with five assists in 21 league outings.
Unfortunately for the west London outfit, however, those exceptional displays did not go unnoticed.
He has been heavily linked with an exit from Griffin Park this summer, with both West Ham and Newcastle being linked with £ 8million moves for the attacking midfielder, according to the Sun.
It will perhaps come as somewhat as a surprise then, given the lack of links, to see SkyBET list Middlesbrough as the 15/8 favourites in the race to sign Jota, ahead of the Hammers at 5/2, and the Magpies at 14/1.
The former Eibar man can play anywhere along the front-line, although he is perhaps most effective when deployed in the number 10 role, just behind the main striker.
He would undoubtedly bring a certain level of nouse and guile to Garry Monk’s side, but it is debatable whether he would fit into their 4-3-3 system, unless of course the Boro boss has a different idea of where his best position lies.
It could, however, still benefit the Teesside outfit greatly to add proven quality to their squad, irrelevant of whether or not there is room for someone who plays in Jota’s position.
And it could turn out to be a signing of real significance for them, if a move comes to fruition.
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