Jamie Vardy to ‘decide on Arsenal transfer after Euro 2016’

Jamie Vardy: Has plenty to think about

Jamie Vardy: Has plenty to think about

Jamie Vardy will not make up his mind on whether to sign for Arsenal until after this summer’s European Championship, according to reports.

Leicester striker Vardy was the subject of a £20m bid from Premier League runners-up Arsenal over the weekend, with the 29-year-old forward offered £120,000 a week on a four-year deal at the Emirates after the Gunners triggered the transfer release clause in his contract.

It was reported that Arsenal wanted to complete the signing of the Leicester striker before he travelled with the England squad to France for Euro 2016.

However, Tuesday morning brought claims that Vardy was reluctant to leave the Premier League winners, and that the silence concerning Arsenal’s offer was ‘deafening’. It was also reported on Tuesday that the player had been offered a new deal by the Foxes as they made their move to keep the player in the East Midlands.

The 23-man England squad arrived in France on Tuesday ahead of their Euro 2016 opener against Russia on Saturday, in which Vardy is expected to feature.

According to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph and John Cross of the Daily Mail, both reliable when it comes to the Gunners, a decision will be made concerning the player’s future only after the tournament ends.

Vardy is thought to be keen to concentrate on his efforts at the Euros, and has reassured head coach Roy Hodgson that the speculation will not hinder his performances.

‘Vardy hopes postponing a decision on his future and also clear-the-air talks with Hodgson will boost his chances of starting this weekend,’ writes Cross.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal wait for the striker then continue to pursue him when the tournament finishes, or whether they will now approach new targets.

 

Okazaki and King on Vardy

Shinji Okazaki: Discusses Jamie Vardy's Arsenal link

Vardy’s future has been very much in the news this week, with his Leicester team-mate Shinji Okazaki backing the player to shine at Arsenal – though Andy King stated:

“I wasn’t surprised when I heard about Vards because all of our players have had brilliant seasons and are going to be linked with big clubs.

“For Leicester it is going to be a summer of speculation of incomings and out-goings.

“Nothing has happened yet and it will probably be a long transfer window.

“But I don’t think it will affect the squad. It is 25 players in a squad and, if one or two decide they want to go and play their football elsewhere, we wish them all the best.

“We want to keep our best players and hopefully add to that.”

King said the entire Leicester squad wanted Vardy to stay following their historic campaign.

But should Vardy leave it might increase speculation that other Leicester players, among them Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante, could see their own futures elsewhere.

“We want all our best players to stay and try and build from there,” said King.

“But what he (Vardy) decides to do is up to him.

“We have a tournament and I am really focused on Wales now. I will deal with Leicester when I get back, but for the next five or six weeks it is about Wales and what we can hopefully do in the tournament.”