It’s emerged that a five-figure bet was placed on Daniel Sturridge moving to Inter Milan on loan at the beginning of this year.
The Telegraph reports that a blue collar worker from the Midlands of England placed the large bet on Sturridge moving to the San Siro in January.
The bet was reportedly placed during the period in which the Liverpool forward is being investigated by the Football Association for the alleged breach of their betting rules.
The FA refused to comment on whether the wager in question had anything to do with the investigation into Sturridge’s conduct but it makes for curious reading given the fact that the individual who placed the bet is said to be from a modest background and suggestions have been made that part of the FA investigation will focus on the possibility that information was passed on about a potential transfer.
Despite the apparent surety of the person who placed the bet, Sturridge ended up moving to West Brom on loan amid several reports from Italy linking him with a switch to Inter in the winter transfer window.
In its statement confirming their investigation into the England striker’s behaviour, the FA did reveal that they were concentrating on “the period of January 2018”, suggesting that the case centred around the player’s temporary move away from Anfield.
Sturridge has until 6pm next Tuesday to respond to the FA’s charges although he has declared his innocence to Liverpool by insisting that he has never placed a football bet.