Odds on Lampard to join Man United slashed after surge of bets

An influx of bets on Manchester United to be Frank Lampard’s next club has seen the Red Devils’ odds to land the Chelsea legend cut to 5/2, though LA Galaxy remain favourites to win the race for his signature.

Following David Beckham’s departure, the Galaxy have a cavernous hole in their wage bill that needs filling and a footballing colossus such as Lampard fits the bill perfectly. The glitz and glamour that a life in the City of Angels brings is sure to appeal to his TV presenter fiancée Christine Bleakley, in addition to this. These factors contribute to form a price of 2/1 that he moves to the Golden Coast following the expiry of his Chelsea contract.

Since his £11m move from West Ham in 2001, Lampard has made 580 appearances for the Blues, while his 193rd goal for the club scored in the 5-1 win over Southampton made him their joint-second top goalscorer of all time.

It also saw him reach double-figures for the 10th successive season – a phenomenal feat for a midfielder.

The fact that he can still do a job in the top-flight is indisputable, despite his 34 years of age and it comes as no surprise to see United on hand to cash in on Chelsea’s inexplicable decision to release the man capped 94 times by his country.

Sir Alex Ferguson has never been one to shy away from putting faith in the old guard, with the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand all big players in his current squad that is topping the Premier League.

It’s not the first time the Red Devils have been linked with Lampard either; Sir Alex was keen to snap him up when Andre Villas-Boas deemed him surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge last term.

Whether the player could bring himself to move to one of the Blues’ rivals remains to be seen; he’s already ruled out the possibility of playing for another London club which deem bets on him joining his Uncle Harry at QPR (9/1) a waste of time.

The same can be said of a move to Arsenal, or a reuniting with AVB at Tottenham (both 10/1) as well as him following in Joe Cole’s footsteps and returning to West Ham (25/1).

A move to the States looks hard to oppose, but if Lamps decides he isn’t ready to turn his back on the Premier League just yet, his price to join Man United is well worth a punt.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date