Manchester United on Monday afternoon emerged as odds-on favourites with bookmakers to win the race to sign Arsenal captain Robin van Persie this month.
United, rivals Manchester City, and Italian champions Juventus all tabled bids for Van Persie last month after he stated he had no plans to sign a new contract at Arsenal.
The striker's existing deal at Emirates Stadium expires at the end of the upcoming season and it is widely expected that he will be on the move this month.
United have been favourites with the bookies ever since manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his interest in the 29-year-old.
And after City boss Roberto Mancini admitted he was unlikely to sign the Netherlands international, the Red Devils have gone odds-on to be the Dutchman's next club.
Bookmakers Sky Bet reported on Monday that punters had been "piling into RVP to join MUFC" in the first half of the day, leading to them slashing their odds to just 4/5 to sign him.
Juventus at time of writing are 5/2, with City out to 4/1.
City's odds have drifted after Mancini said when asked about the forward: "Van Persie? No, I don't think he will come here."
Ferguson last month told MUTV: "Obviously Arsenal have given out the fact that we've made a bid for him.
"We try to keep business as close as possible to us until the moment we conclude a deal. There's no point talking about something that might not happen.
"There are other clubs interested in the player. We've shown an interest and that's where we're at at the moment."
AC Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid have also shown interest in Van Persie.