During the summer transfer window, many football players switch clubs, providing the perfect opportunity for player transfer betting. But how do you go about it, and which are the best football betting sites? Well, we have everythinź¦g you need to know about how, where, and on whom to bet.
- 1 How Does Player Transfer Betting Work?
- 2 Why Should I Bet on Player Transfers?
- 3 When Are the Transfer Windows?
- 4 Football Player Transfer Markets and Odds
- 5 Top 5 Summer 2022 Transfers Completed
- 6 Top 5 Winter 2023 Transfers Completed
- 7 Top 10 Most Expensive Football Player TransferšÆs of All Time
- 8 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 9 Football Player Transfer FAQs
How Does Player Transfer Betting Work?
Transfer windows give clubs the chance to improve their squads, be it by adding some new players or offloading deadwood from the wage bill. The best time to make these deals is the during the summer.
š As for the players themselves, there are many reasons why they would want to look for a new club. Some of these factors include wanting to play at a higher level, searching for trophies, or disagreements with teammates and coaching staff.
While the above may explain the when and the why, it doesn't explain the how. To get thš³e most out of player transfer betting, read on below!
Step 1: Pick a Transfer Rumour
Naturally, the first step is to choose who you want to bet on. If you're a football fanatic ālike me, your social feeds will be full of rumours and supposed bids regarding the biggest ongoiā±ng player transfers.
Research is key to giving you the best chance of getting predictions right. Why does a player want to leave? Has the player made demands before? Has he ever mentioned a desire to play somewhere else? Getting the answers to these questions can help you place more accurate wagers. Just keep in mind our two topź§ tips:
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Stick to a market you know (ex. Premier League)
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Look fšor legitimate sources (Ex. Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein)
Step 2: Choose the Right Bookie
We've gone ahead and done the work for you here with our list of top recommended bookies above. All hašve been specially selected with player transfer betting in mind, offering great value for punters.
Transfer odds are super sensitive to fluctuation, so we shortlisted betting sites known to provide competitive odds and who are quick to update any changes in price.
ź¦Here are a few tiļ·ŗps to make sure you choose the right bookmaker suited to your needs and preferences:
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Pick one of our excellent bookmakeršs listed above.
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Make š°sure you're happy with the markets offered on player transfers.
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Compare the odds with those offered by other booākies.
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During š°the above step, look out for any specific summer transfer specials and āpromotions.
Step 3: To Wait or Not to Wait
This is the trickiest step of the lot, but waiting for tš he right moment to place a bet could give you better odds or save you from making a bad bet. The question is, how can you accurately spot the right instance to place a wager?
Well, in short, you canšāt. Itās impossible to be sure of a transfer. Even if you place your bets early, deals could always fall through. On the flip side, waiting for a deal to be all but confirmed could prolong things until it's too late. Here are a two main tips to consą± ider that may help you reach a decision more easily.
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If the playā¤er wants to play at a particular clubšŖ, he may push a move harder.
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If a player is reluctant to leave, he may fšind it harder to choose anothšer club if he has to, making things harder to predict.
Why Should I Bet on Player Transfers?
Ok, so you know the how – let's go back to the why again! There are a few key reasons why you should bet on the summer transfer window and transfers in general, which we've highlighted below.
Lack of football in summer: Unless thereās a World Cup or European Championship, the summer months proviš¦de little footballing excitement. Transfers offer just that! And with more lucšÆrative deals being struck every year, the window keeps getting more exciting.
Rumours are fun: Everybody loves a bit of gossip, and transfer rumours gź¦¬ive you something to discuss and debate in the off-season.
It can help with bets during the season: Starting your research from the summeš”r window could provide sź¦”ome valuable information, which you could use to find value in your bets once the season kicks off.
When Are the Transfer Windows?
You can still keep up to date š„with transfer rumours before the window opens, but the real fun kicks off when clubs can actually sell and buy players. Our table below shows the dates for the Summer transfer window schedules, which vary depending on the country.
| Country | Summer Transfer Window Dates |
|---|---|
| Albania | 14 June ā 31 August |
| Australia | 21 June – 12 September |
| Brazil | 3 July – 2 August |
| Bulgaria | 16 June ā 7 September |
| Canada | 5 July – 2 August |
| Denmark | 15 June ā 1 September |
| England | 14 June ā 1 September |
| Finland | 13 July – 12 August |
| France | 1 July ā 1 September |
| Germany | 1 July ā 1 September |
| Italy | 1 July ā 31 August |
| Japan | 17 July – 16 August |
| Kenya | 26 June – 21 August |
| Netherlands | 12 June ā 31 August |
| Norway | 1 August – 31 August |
| Romania | 13 June ā 4 September |
| Russia | 26 June ā 14 September |
| Scotland | 14 June ā 31 August |
| Spain | 1 July ā 1 September |
| Sweden | 7 July – 31 August |
| Turkey | 26 June ā 15 September |
| USA | 5 July – 2 August |
Football Player Transfer Markets and Odds
From the Premier League to La Liga to Serie A and the Bundesliga, bookmakers are always quick to react to the latestš transfer rumours. Once you sort the silliness from the factual, youāll have a whole new world of betting opportunities to pounce on. Perhaps this is why betting on player transfers in football has become increasinź§gly popular over recent years.
Player transfer betting allows you to wager on a certain player, or manager for that matter, to move to a certain club, or simply leave their current one. Other markets in this enjoyable field inšclude to stay at the current club, which club a player will be at after the summeār window closes, as well as which player will be at once the January window slams shut too.
Next Permanent Club
This is essentially betting on a player who, unless you know something no one else does, will already be in the news regarding a transfer to his next permanent club. This market lets you bet on the next team he will play for, š»but does not require you to nominašte a particular transfer window when his move will occur.
Be sure to follow real journalists with strong club connections in order toš» get š¶reliable updates. With the likes of Fabrizio Romano and Gianluca Di Marzio, keeping up with transfer rumours has become a lot easier. Taking advantage of the extremely accurate reporting of these journalists is a sure fire way to get more value out of your bets.
Remember, you can always bet on players NOT to move too, instead opting to stay put at tš°heir current club.
Next Club Signing
Another way to look at transfer betting is to look at it from the signing teamās point of view. This is to say, bet on the next player to join a club, any club. So, if you have a hunch that player X will be the next big money signing through the doors at, say, Manchester United, then this is the bet for you.
This can be a lot trickier, especially when betting on a big club. Top clubs will be dealing with several players at the same time, with deals being pushed forward or falling through at any moment. Research is key when using this type of bet, as keeping an eye out on the progress of a deal could be the ļ·½difference between a win and a loss. Smaller clubs that donāt have many targets may be easier, but they will offer you lower odds.
To Break Transfer Record
A bet on this market would require you to successfully predict which club, either across the world or domestically, will smash through the existing transfer recorš§d within a designated time period.
For example, if you have read reports that Real Madrid has been persistent in their desired recruitment of a certain player, and that such a transfer wź¦ ould blow all others that have gone before it out of the water, thenā this is the market for that bet.
With the monumental price tag placed on Neymar Jr in 2017, this one seem a little more out of reach. However, wiš th ever more lucrative buy out clauses and an abundance of wunderkinds, this could still happen.
Football Player Transfer Odds
It's safe to say that many football fans are still recź¦«overing from the exciting aftermath of the remarkable 2022/23 football season. This period saw unforgettable moments like Argentina's World Cup victory, Napoli clinching their third league title, City's triumphant treble-winning performance, as well as the heartbreak of ź§Marco Reus and Dortmund.
All of this has left us eagerly anticipating a summer full of blockbuster transfers. As we look forward to the upcomišng 2023/2024 campaign, here are some of the majorā transfer rumors currently making headlines, and the odds assigned to each player:
Harry Kane
The only thing keeping Tottenham relevant, Harry Kane is Englandās all-time top scorer and the Premier Leagueās top scorer for a single club. Every year Kane is linked with a big club, and so far, his loyalty has reigned supreme, but with his time at the top level ticking, he may want š ŗto venture out.
Bayern Munich is currently the favourite to acquire Kane, with a Ā£70 million bid apparentlyš§ø already on the table. It remains to be seen if he aims to win trophies or overtakes Shearer to become ź§the Premier League top scorer.
Declan Rice
Possibly the most interesting transfer saga so far this summer, Rice has finally confirmed his departure from West Ham. With a remarkable record of over 200 appearances across all competitions and having led his team to their first European title in more than two decades, he has undeniably earnedš¦© the status of a clubš¦© legend.
Although Arsenal and Manchester City are both reportedly interested in signing the homegrown talent, Rice has already rejected two offers by the Gunners, with City reportedly preparing a Ā£100 million bid. The bookies stillš§ø have Arsenal as the favourites at 8/15, thougšÆh, while City are priced at 7/4.
Kylian MbappƩ
To tź¦he surprise of absolutely no one, Kylian MbappĆ© is back in the headlines as the Parisian is still looking for a move out of, well, Paris. Although PSG awarded him one of the most lucrative deals ever last season, the lack of ambition at the club has proved to be too much for Kylian to handle.
That being said, such is the quality of his current contract that odds on Mbappe staying at PSG are currently at 1/1. If he had to leave, Real Madrid is by far the most likely destinaātion at odds of 16/1. Odds on a transfer to Manchester United are next at 16/1, but we think is extremā ely unlikely.
Josko Gvardiol
The Croatian has been a real standout this season, especially at the World Cup where he led the defensive line, taking Croatiaš all the way to the semi-finals and eventually finishing third. Having played for RB Leipzig since 2021, a move to a top European club looks likely.
So far, the biggest contender for Gvardiolās signature is Manchester City, although there is some chance that heāll stay in Leipzig; meanwhile, Real Madrid has also reportedly shown interest.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
The Georgian whoās putting his country on the map, Kvaratshelia, more affectionately known as Kvaradona, led Napoli to their third Serie A title, winning the clubās and leagueās player of the sź§eason. The man is iš·n high demand, although he seems content at Napoli for now.
Having said that, all of Europeās elite are fighting to sign Kvara, as the 22-year-old has shown heaps of potential this season. My guess is that heāź§ll stš ŗay on as the star man in a brilliant Napoli side.
Romelu Lukaku
What a rollercoaster of a career itās been for Lukaku. After a Todd Boehly disaster class saw him come back to Chelsea for Ā£115 million, Lukaku made it clear he preferred Inter, being loaned out last season. A decent campaign with the Nerazzurri ended with him missing a sitter in the Champions League final – not ideal.
Itās being reported that Lukaku is looking for a reunion with Inter, although some Saudą½§i Pro League clubs are also reportedly interested. Whatever happens, Chelsea will surely suffer a loss.
Top 5 Summer 2022 Transfers Completed
The summer of 2022 saw plenty of brilliant signings and a handful of dodgy dealings as well. The likes of Ešrling Haaland, Richarlison and Sterling all made big money moves, and some have proven to be better than others. Here are the top transfers:
| Pos | Player | From | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antony | Ajax | Manchester United | Ā£82 million |
| 2 | Wesley Fofana | Leicester | Chelsea | Ā£70 million |
| 3 | AurĆ©lien Tchouameni | Monaco | Real Madrid | Ā£69.4 million |
| 4 | Darwin NĆŗƱez | Benfica | Liverpool | Ā£64 million |
| 5 | Casemiro | Real Madrid | Manchester United | Ā£61 million |
Antony was last summerās biggest Premier League Transfer signing. Heās flattered to deceive this season, but the 22-year-old still has bags of potential. While š§it hašsnāt worked out amazingly so far, he looks to be one for the future.
Chelseaās transfer downfall can be highlighted by this transfer. Fofana is a great player, but the fee involved was rather high for his standard, and his lack of game time has emphasised this. The young talent should improve at Chelļ·½sea, but it remains to be seen.
AurĆ©lien Tchouameni is an excellent young French footballer, playing the majority of Real Madridās La Liga matches. The biggest La Liga Transfer this season, Tchouameni will surely improve his game, becoming a top Madridista. Coincidentally, heās also been the biggest outgoing Ligue 1 Transfer.
Darwin NĆŗƱez had a rocky start to his Pį£remier League life, but over time, the Uruguayan has started showing his talent a lot more. One of his biggest issues is that he canāt speak a word of English.
Casemiro is an absolutely inspired signing by Manchester United. By far the oldest playeš ·r on this list, he has brought some much-needed stability to the club. Heās also had more goal contributiš³ons than Antony!
Top 5 Winter 2023 Transfers Completed
| Pos | Player | From | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enzo FernĆ”ndez | Benfica | Chelsea | Ā£106.8 million |
| 2 | Mykhaylo Mudryk | Shakhtar Donetsk | Chelsea | Ā£62 million |
| 3 | Anthony Gordon | Everton | Newcastle | Ā£45 million |
| 4 | Cody Gakpo | PSV Eindhoven | Liverpool | Ā£37 million |
| 5 | BenoĆ®t Badiashile | Monaco | Chelsea | Ā£35 million |
The biggest signing this calendar year, Enzo FernĆ”ndez joined Chelsea for an astronomical fee, and heās still finding his feet in the league. The Worldšø Cup winner has tonnes of potential and will likely be aź¦¦ star man for the Blues, eventually.
The same thing can be said about Mykhaylo Mudryk, although he did come from a worse league. Brilliāant on his day, Mudryk is another example of Chelseaās overspending, but I believe that he could come good.
Anthony Gordon has been woeful atā Newcastle this season. The Magpišes have gotten very little wrong this season, but Gordon has really struggled, only scoring one goal this season.
Cody Gakpo could turnš§ out to be a great signing for Liverpool. Heās completely forgotten his shaky start to the campaign and is a driving force in the Redsā attack. He even scored in his first Merseysideš Derby and scored a brace against rivals Manchester United.
Chelseaās third inclusion, BenoĆ®t Badiashile, is a decent young defenderā who could be good value for money if he reaches his full potential. Chelsea has had one of their worst seasons in decades, and defensive stability is key to turning their fortunes around.
Transfer Betting in European Leagues
While most transfers are associated with the Premier League, don't overlook other top divisions which see plenty ofš¼ fantastic signings too, providing plenty of potential value for punters.
For more onš± this, check out our specific transfāer pages for each European league.
Top 10 Most Expensive Football Player Transfers of All Time
| Player | Move | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neymar Jr | Barcelona To Paris Saint Germain | Ā£198 million | 2017 |
| Kylian MbappĆ© | Monaco To Paris Saint Germain | Ā£163 million | 2018 |
| JoĆ£o FĆ©lix | Benfica To AtlĆ©tico de Madrid | Ā£112.9 million | 2019 |
| Antoine Griezmann | AtlĆ©tico de Madrid To Barcelona | Ā£107 million | 2019 |
| Enzo FernĆ”ndez | Benfica to Chelsea | Ā£106.8 million | 2023 |
| Philippe Coutinho | Liverpool To Barcelona | Ā£105 million | 2018 |
| Jack Grealish | Aston Villa to Manchester City | Ā£100 million | 2021 |
| Romelu Lukaku | Inter Milan to Chelsea | Ā£97.5 million | 2021 |
| Ousmane DembĆ©le | BVB To Barcelona | Ā£97 million | 2017 |
| Paul Pogba | Juventus To Man Utd | Ā£89 million | 2016 |
ThePuntersPage Final Say
The transfer window opens twice a year – in summer and winter – providing an excellent opportunity for teams to bolster their squads. Itās also great for punters, with player transfer betting especially brilliant during the summer window when not much football goes on. To get started, simply pick one of the bookmakers we've recommended above!
Football Player Transfer FAQs
Betting on football transfers is fantastic – it gives you the chance to bet on the sport during the off-season, you can find some great value, and the research youāve done will definitely help you in future bets.
That depends on the bet youāve placed. If you sišmply bet on the player to move, then donāt worry, your bet is fine. If, however, youą¹ bet on a player to go to a specific club, youāll lose your stake.
Yes ā with most top betting sites UK, you always have ź¦”the option of betting š on a player not to move.
There sure is, and you can read more about it in our manager betting guide.
In some cases, yes. Obviously, these will not break any transfer records, but they still see a player move to his next permanent club. Itās a good idea to bookmark a few football websites that specialise in analysis and stats so you cašn keep up-to-date with the latest transfer news.
Yes ā the 2023 summer transfer window has seen most players being linked with ‘Any Saudi Pro League Clubā and this is quite common for many leagues.