Balotelli at 3/1 to join Irons – Downing 4/11 to leave

Sky Bet have hugely controversial Mario Balotelli as low as 3/1 to join the Hammers this summer.

The betting firm make the Irons clear favourites to move for the trouble torn former Manchester City and Liverpool striker at half the odds of second favourites AC Milan and Sampdoria with Newcastle priced at 8/1 to get him.

It’s very hard to see why the Irons board would want to invest in a player who scored one in 16 for Liverpool last season although the Italy international did grab  20 in 54 for Manchester City before moving to Roma where he grabbed 26 in 43 games.

While West Ham need a new striker, going for another big-money forward who couldn’t quite cut it at Liverpool (see Andy Carroll) wouldn’t maye be the wisest of approaches.

Meanwhile Loic Remt – despite Jose Mourinho’s apparent refusal to sell him remains a 4/6 favourite to join the Irons whilst Glen Johnson is priced at 9/4 to join us and Stewart Downing is as short as 4/11 to joing Middlesbrough.