Arsenal have reportedly triggered the release clause of Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy as the Gunners look to complete the signing of the striker before he sets off for the Euros with England.
Arsenal are reportedly set to have triggered the release clause of Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy, thought to be around £22 million. The 29-year-old, who scored 24 goals in the Foxes’ remarkable Premier League winning run, now has to decide whether he wants to stay at Leicester or not. The Guardian claims the Gunners officially activated the clause on Friday evening and are expecting to wrap up talks before the player jets off for the Euros.
Vardy, who was acquired from Fleetwood Town for £1 million in 2012, signed a three and a half year extension in February, tying him down till 2020. Reports emerging earlier in the week claimed that the England international did not want a release clause included in his contract, but it nonetheless guarantees the Foxes a size-able sum should their star-striker be enticed by a move away from the club. Leicester, however, despite already being linked with the likes of Islam Slimani as a replacement for Vardy, are keen to hold on to their man.
Currently in the England squad preparing for the European Championships set to take place in France, Vardy will be fighting hard to make his way into Roy Hodgson’s plans for the Three Lions’ opening fixture against Russia at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille. With Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United having already been linked with him during the winter transfer window, Arsenal could face stiff competition to acquire their man’s signature should the striker have a stellar European campaign.
A number of strikers, like Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann, have all been linked with a move to the Emirates’ this summer. With Olivier Giroud’s poor performance in front of goal and the persistent injury problems to Danny Welbeck, Vardy’s arrival at the club would make him the number one choice for Arsene Wenger up front. The odds on the England forward signing for the north London club were shortened to 8/13 shortly before Stuart James of the Guardian broke the story on Friday evening.
While Arsenal don’t play the same style of football as that of Leicester, Vardy wouldn’t exactly be out of place in the team, as the Gunners do have a penchant to break quickly. In such scenarios, the pace and control of Vardy would be extremely useful in getting more goals, which is sorely needed if Arsenal are to make any headway in challenging for the league title next season.
