Vardy wants to join Arsenal, says potential team-mate Giroud

Jamie Vardy: Felt right to refuse Arsenal offer

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud says he has been told that Jamie Vardy “wants to join” the Gunners.

Arsenal have triggered a £20million release clause in the Leicester striker’s contract and the 29-year-old is now understood to be weighing up whether to remain with the champions or move to the Emirates.

Giroud, speaking after scoring twice in France’s 3-0 victory over Scotland on Saturday night, says he is excited about the prospect of teaming up with Vardy next season.

“I have been told that Jamie wants to join us and it’s very good news for us. I think we can be complimentary and that’s all I can say,” the Arsenal striker told Sky Sports News HQ.

“He’s a fantastic player, so it’s good news for us.

“As I said in the past I am happy with competition. We have always had fantastic strikers at Arsenal and I want the best for this club. Hopefully he is going to help us win this title.

“The boss wanted to sign at least one or two strikers, so I expected a top striker and I think it will benefit the club and hopefully he is going to score a lot of goals like he did at Leicester.”

Vardy, who scored 24 league goals in Leicester’s remarkable title-winning campaign, only signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with the club in February, but reports on Sunday claim both clubs want a decision either way before Vardy heads to France with England on Monday.

ESPN FC claim Vardy will have a medical at Arsenal as the Gunners aim to push a deal through before Euro 2016.