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ODDSbible Transfers: Betting Expert Alex Apati's Deadline Day Guide

ODDSbible Transfers: Betting Expert Alex Apati's Deadline Day Guide

ODDSbible Transfers: Betting Expert Alex Apati's Deadline Day Guide

Alex Donohue

Alex Donohue

ODDSbible caught up with Ladbrokes' Alex Apati, the man powering our Deadline Day Coverage. Stay tuned to the ODDSbible Instagram story as he chases down all the big deals and breaks the news before anyone else.

Latest live Transfer Deadline Day odds here

ODDSbible: What's your name and what do you do for Ladbrokes, and who do you support.

AA: I'm Alex Apati and I work as Ladbrokes' Football PR man, which means most of my day is spent watching, talking and writing about football. Don't ask me what I got up to during the close season, my manager is probably gonna read this! I'm generally our go-to guy when it comes to chasing odds from our traders which means my days are filled talking to journalists up and down the country and keeping up to date with what's going on so that we can continue to offer the best and most unique bets long before the competition. And I'm an Arsenal fan, so we'll leave that there.

OB: that sounds like the best job in the world

AA: It isn't far off! I always said if I couldn't play football I'd love to still be able to work in the game. Hold on, that sounds like there was actually a chance I was going to be a footballer! That wasn't the case - but yeah - it's not a bad compromise for a career that finished aged 17 after ropey debut season in pub football...

OB: Arsenal *laughs* (more on that later)

OB: Anyway, why should we listen to you? What are you going to be doing over the next few days?

AA: Why should you listen to me?! I think the odds at this time of the year play a huge part in the transfer rumours. More often than not we've been bang on the money when it comes to pricing up the chances of players leaving. We were the first bookies to suspend betting on Sigurdsson and Rooney joining Everton, likewise with Matic and Lukaku at United. There's a solid bunch of us in the office who work around the clock and stay up to date for out customers and we like to think we're considered a reliable and trusted source when it comes to the betting side of the game. And speaking of working around the clock, that's exactly what I'll be doing between now and Deadline Day. Why can't clubs just get their business done earlier on in the summer?! Wouldn't be as fun, I guess. I'll be taking myself across London to keep my eyes peeled for any breaking news. My goal is to be that guy who spotted David Luiz at King's Cross last year!

OB: Fair enough. We can't argue with that. You remind me of the lad in every whatsapp group chat who knows more about betting than everyone else put together.Anyway, Tell us the top 5 deals to watch out for this deadline day

AA: *laughs*I HATE that guy, but I know what you mean!

The top five are simple in my opinion.

Remember, we're not talking about Arsenal...

1. Alexis Sanchez to City. Will he go? And will Raheem Sterling play a part in a deal?

2. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Chelsea. Does The Ox finally leave Arsenal? And for a London club?!

3. Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona. Liverpool have stood firm up to this point but fans won't rest until Jim White takes off his yellow tie.

4. Thomas Lemar to Liverpool. If there's any justice in the world, Lemar will get his dream move to the Premier League. I can assure you that won't be the only pun you'll be hearing from me over the next few days.

5. Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid. What happens to Costa if he doesn't leave? It just doesn't make sense. He has to go.

OB: Should we expect any surprises? Give us something at huge odds to get us excited. Who's going to do a madness?

AA: I've said time and time again today that we're not going to talk about Arsenal.

So I like the look of Virgil van Dijk joining Arsenal at 9/2. Okay, not huge odds, but I was shouting about this all of last week at 16/1 and his odds have clearly come in since. Think about it: Van Dijk wants to leave Southampton and Liverpool look like they've burned their bridges. Arsene Wenger is so desperate for reinforcements, he's one injury away from playing rushbacks and bringing Peter Cech into the heart of his defence. They look likely to lose Sanchez or The Ox, if not both, and the fans will want to see that money reinvested into strengthening the squad. And which are of the squad needs strengthening the most? Exactly.

OB: Any other specials or markets to look out for? And should we be watching Wenger's sack race odds?

AA: Peter Odemwingie coming to a car park near you. Harry Redknapp being interviewed in his car. A Wenger out banner to be flown over the Emirates? No, we're not talking about Arsenal. 8/1 he (Wenger) is to win the Sack Race. Personally I don't think there's any value in that, but I'd be surprised to see him in the dugout this time next year.

Latest live Transfer Deadline Day odds here

OB: Seeing as we're on the subject of Wenger, what's happening at Arsenal now? What are the best and worst possible outcomes between now and the window slamming shut.

AA: We're not going to talk about Arsenal...

What's going on? Your guess is as good as mine.

The thing I can't figure out is that they haven't brought anyone in since the season started or - more specifically - since that Liverpool defeat, and there are a couple of explanations for that. Maybe no one is leaving the club. Maybe we've all got it wrong and this squad is closer than ever. Unlikely, but a possibility. Then there's the other explanation: Arsenal just haven't prepared for the seemingly imminent exits of their key players. Anything now from Wenger would be considered a panic buy because there's no way in this day and age he's arranging deals without anyone knowing about it.

Best case scenario: Sanchez, The Ox and Mustafi all stay and Arsenal bring in a world class centre half and start catching up with their rivals in the league.

Worst case scenario: Sanchez leaves. The Ox follows and holds the door open for Mustafi on the way - and Arsenal bring in no replacements.

OB: What's your favourite deadline day deal of all time?

AA: We're not going to talk about Arsenal, so I'd say my favourite Deadline Day deal has to be Mesut Ozil to Arsenal in 2013. Now that one really did come out of nowhere. We were linked with Angel Di Maria in the morning and then there were whispers Ozil had agreed a deal. I couldn't sleep until I saw a picture of him holding an Arsenal shirt. More of that, please.

OB: What do you make of the transfer market hyper-inflation. Is Neymar really worth that much? Are any of them?

AA: The amount of money in the game right now is absurd, so I'm sticking around in the hope that it one day filters down from the people playing football to the people writing about it...

I don't see how clubs are going to sustain this new way of signing players though. It doesn't make sense. Come on, £200m for one player? How could anyone ever dream of considering that value for money? I'm looking past the price tags now because if I don't then I'll spend the majority of my life scratching my head. Plus, it's not like PSG are using my money to pay for him, so you've just got to let them get on with it.

It doesn't help anyone though. There's instant pressure on him to perform - just as much pressure as there was on Paul Pogba's shoulders last year, plus around £120m. And if he does tear Ligue 1 apart, so what?! Isn't that what you'd expect for a player that expensive?

OB: Thanks Alex. Before we go, give us one Deadline Day Dead Cert.

AA: One absolutely cert is that if you live in London and near a football ground, you're likely to see me, rain or shine, with a brand new selfie stick, looking for input from passers-by. Come say hello!

Latest live Transfer Deadline Day odds here

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