Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater is odds on to leave Stamford Bridge in January having played just 30 minutes for the club this season.
The former Leicester star made an appearance during the Community Shield against Manchester City and has made it onto the bench just twice since then without taking to the pitch.
Sky Bet rate him at 1/2 to have a new club following the January transfer window, while the odds on him remaining at Chelsea lie at 6/4. Maurizio Sarri’s comments make it clear that the 28-year-old has no future in his tactical plans but leaves Drinkwater’s immediate plans in the hands of the player and club hierarchy.
Sarri said: “Danny is in the list for the Premier League but is out of the list in Europe. I think that he’s a very good midfielder, but he is suitable for a midfield with two midfielders.
“With a three, he’s not really a central midfielder. He’s not suitable to play centre right or centre left. So I think that, for him, the problem is only my football.
“I don’t know [his future]. It depends upon the club. It’s up to him, I think. I don’t know.”
Fulham have been slated as Drinkwater’s most likely destination next month as they have struggle in central midfield so far this season, while Claudio Ranieri did work with the player during the Foxes’ title winning season.
The rumour has been around a while and shortly after his appointment Ranieri refused to comment on the idea of Drinkwater joining the club but transfer activity will be led by Tony Khan, Director of Football Operations rather than the Italian.
The Cottagers nevertheless lie as firm favourites at 4/6, but West Ham’s odds have shortened to 12/1 in recent days.