Thomas Partey could be heading for Arsenal
Thomas Partey could be heading for Arsenal

Best backed transfer deadline day moves: Theo Walcott, Antonio Rudiger, Milan Skriniar, Harry Wilson


With the summer transfer window closing at 11pm, we look at the best backed moves involving Premier League clubs according to Sky Bet.



WALCOTT: EVERTON - SOUTHAMPTON (BOOK CLOSED)

This seems like it might already be done.

Theo Walcott burst on to the scene as a 15-year-old at Southampton in 2015 and did enough to both secure a £12m move to Arsenal, and place in the 2006 World Cup squad having never played in the Premier League.

Now having slipped down the pecking order following another summer of spending at Everton, the winger looks set for an emotional return to St Mary's - probably on loan.



RUDIGER: CHELSEA - MILAN (EVENS)

Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger (right) has fallen out of favour

We've been asking the question 'where will Antonio Rudiger end up' and we look as though we now have the answer, as AC Milan are thought to be deep in talks with Chelsea.

Rudiger has been linked with Tottenham, PSG and Milan over the past week after rumours of a fall-out with Blues boss Frank Lampard.

The Germany international had looked like he'd secured a way out, with his price on a move to Milan 4/9 this morning.

But it's drifted throughout the day and he could now be set to stay at Stamford Bridge.


SKRINIAR: INTER - SPURS (1/3)

They say the best time to strengthen is when things are going well, and Tottenham thrashed Manchester United 6-1 away from yesterday so could they be in a better place?

While the season has started in an OK fashion for Jose Mourinho's team, defensively they haven't looked secure and a deal for Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar looks near enough a certainty.

The Slovakia international is more of a tough, no nonsense type - the style of defender than Tottenham are certainly lacking.

This price is getting shorter and shorter.


WILSON: LIVERPOOL - BURNLEY (15/8)

This Harry Wilson move has been a 'will he won't he' all summer, and looked to have fallen through over both transfer fee and personal terms last week before the price came as short as 8/11 first thing this morning. It looks like it's off again now though.

Perhaps Burnley's eagerness to do a deal was hastened by their appalling start to the season - they've lost all three games, and signed only Dale Stephens from Brighton - but when it came down to it they just don't have the cash.

It would be no shock if late in the day a loan deal is stuck though.

Wilson won't solve their problems, but the Wales and Liverpool is a brilliant set-piece taker and would add creativity that is sorely lacking at Turf Moor.


PARTEY: ATLETICO - ARSENAL (BOOK CLOSED)

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey

What a saga this one has been. It began not long after the January transfer window closed, and seemed to be dead in the water at the weekend with Arsenal moving on to other targets - perhaps not.

Thomas Partey suddenly became odds-on to be a Gunners play by 11pm tonight, and not long after Sky Bet closed the book.

It's now being widely reported that the club are willing to activate his £45m release clause.

The Ghanaian would add much-needed solidity to Mikel Arteta's midfield, something Arsenal have lacked for a good decade.


LOFTUS-CHEEK: CHELSEA - FULHAM (EVENS) SOUTHAMPTON (11/10)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was a star for England in 2018

It's sad to see how little football Ruben Loftus-Cheek has played in the past two years after bursting on to the scene to win a place in England's 2018 World Cup squad before starring for the Three Lions in Russia.

That came thanks to a superb loan spell at Crystal Palace in 2017/18, but since returning to Chelsea his route to the first team has been blocked.

Another temporary stint away, looks a smart move - but to who? He was just about odds-on to move to Southampton, and now both Saints and Fulham look to be scrapping it out for the attacking midfielder.


BENRAHMA: BRENTFORD - PALACE (EVENS)

If Crystal Palace had been balking over the transfer fee for Said Benrahma because they weren't sure whether he could make the step up, Ollie Watkins' stunning hat-trick in Aston Villa's 7-2 thumping of Liverpool may be the nudge they needed to push the boat out.

The Bees' BMW strikeforce was a potent weapon in the Sky Bet Championship last season, with Benrahma arguably the most eye-catching of the trio.

Bryan Mbuemo looks set to stay in west London, but could Benrahma join his former team-mate Watkins in the top flight for a similar fee of between £25m and £30m?


JORGINHO: CHELSEA - ARSENAL (7/2)

What a deal this would be if it happened. Jorginho has captained Chelsea twice this season, and scored twice from the spot in Saturday's 4-0 win over over Palace.

If the Brazil-born Italy international was to join Arsenal it would directly strengthen a local and top four rival, as the Gunners are frantically searching for a defensive midfielder.

Chelsea must be desperate to recoup some cash if they allow this to happen.

It looks far less likely, and the price has drifted hugely from being a shade over evens at mid-morning. That is largely down to Arsenal chasing Thomas Partey again.


CANTWELL: NORWICH - LEEDS (11/10)

Could this England Under-21 midfielder be the latest Norwich youngster to depart for big money?

Ben Godfrey has already gone on deadline day, joining Everton in a deal that could be worth £30m in the end, while Jamal

Lewis went to Newcastle for close to £20m earlier in the window.

Todd Cantwell turned heads with some outstanding performances in a struggling Norwich team last season, including a few eye-catching goals.

What an addition he could be to a Leeds team that have hit the Premier League like an express train.


Odds correct at 1508 BST 05/10/20

Follow Sporting Life on social - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football content

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.