Odds tumble on Thierry Henry joining Liverpool

After a sustained period of betting on Thierry Henry joining Liverpool this summer, William Hill have cut the odds from 10/1 to 3/1 that Henry will become a liverpool player in the next few weeks.  Money has been rolling in for Henry - with much of it coming from the Liverpool area - for the last two days; but there is not a sniff of a rumour in any of the press.

William Hill spokesman, Graham Sharpe's comment was:

'We started to take calls asking for odds for Henry to join Liverpool a couple of days ago and initially offered 10/1, not believing it was that likely a move for the Frenchman. However, after taking increasingly more calls and bets - predominantly from the Liverpool area - we have shortened the odds significantly just in case there is something to the story, which has yet to emerge into the public domain.'

A transfer like this would be a complete shock in English football, and would place serious question marks over Arsenal's short term future.  If Arsenal are funding a bid for Samuel Eto'o this way - then surely a straight swap with Barcelona would be less fraught.  As when Man United sold Ruud van Nistelrooy it is always easier on the fans if you sell to a foreign club.

But if Arsenal sold to their direct rival (in league terms) they either have a big replacement lined up - or are drifting off the pace.  A very interesting rumour - why would so much be staked if there was nothing in it?

For Liverpool signing Henry would give them the cutting edge to mount a serious title challenge.  Interesting times.