In Chelsea’s hands to sign gifted defender but Milan makes sense
Published:Jores Okore is one of the most in-demand youngsters across Europe at present after impressing with FC Nordsjaelland and it is Chelsea and Manchester United that head the Premier League charge for his signature.
Okore’s agent insists that interest has been widespread across Europe, especially since the 20-year-old’s stock increased as a result of the Danish club qualifying for the Champions League.
However, no ‘serious’ offers have yet been forthcoming, with Okore seemingly putting first-team opportunities at the forefront of his requests when moving.
Four clubs head the betting at 5/1 to be Okore’s club at the start of next season, with Nordsjaelland interestingly not one of them at 15/2.
The central defender, who has four international caps, has previously stated that he is open to a move in the summer and even potentially in the January transfer window should the terms of a deal be right.
Chelsea are one of the clubs at 5/1 and Okore stated after Nordsjaelland’s Champions League defeat in Copenhagen that Roberto Di Matteo’s men were his “favourite team”.
Peter Schmeichel has also reportedly contacted Sir Alex Ferguson about Manchester United making a competitive offer and the Red Devils are 15/1 to be Okore’s club at the start of the next season.
But the problem both have are providing enough first-team opportunities.
Sir Alex already has an abundance of options at centre back when everyone is fit through Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and now Scott Wootton.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have a world-class central defensive foursome with John Terry, David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic, alongside having Oriol Romeu and Paulo Ferreira available to cover if things get desperate.
In terms of a bigger club where Okore will get regular playing time, the obvious answer is AC Milan, who have a host of average players at their disposal since the summer departures of Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta.
Milan are another of the clubs at 5/1 to be Okore’s club at the beginning of next season.
Full market
Juventus 5/1
Milan 5/1
Chelsea 5/1
Valencia 5/1
FC Nordsjaelland 15/2
Man Utd 15/1
Lyon 15/1
Lille 15/1
Marseille 15/1
PSG 15/1
Barcelona 25/1
Swansea 25/1
Liverpool 25/1
Ajax 50/1
Inter 50/1
Arsenal 50/1
Man City 50/1
Real Madrid 100/1
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
