Leicester City’s star striker Jamie Vardy was seemingly on the verge of a move to Premier League giants Arsenal. The 29-year-old striker has recently revealed why he chose to turn down a move to the Emirates.
The Englishman has claimed that he didn’t even consider a move to Arsenal, even after the London side reportedly triggered his £22 million release clause in early June. He instead chose to sign a new contract with the Foxes to extend his stay with the reigning Premier League champions.
“It’s not been put out there that I have always said the boys, the close-knit brotherhood, is unbelievable and for me, there’s a lot of unfinished business here,” said Vardy, according to SkySports.
“I feel that the club is only going one way and that is forward, that’s why I want to be a part of it. It wasn’t that big [the decision] when I think about it. It was quite easy and this is where I want to be.”
Vardy had the season of his life in the previous campaign, scoring 24 goals as the Foxes marched to an unprecedented Premier League triumph. The Arsenal offer may have been the last chance for the 29-year-old to add one of the established elite clubs of England to his resume. However, he seems content to stick with the club that elevated him from a non-league footballer to a household name around the world.
The Gunners have now turned their attentions to another Leicester star in Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian linked up beautifully with Vardy as he contributed 16 goals and 11 assists to the Foxes cause last season. Arsenal are ready to make a bid believed to be in the region of £30 million, but Leicester are confident that they can hold on to the player for at least another season.
Arsenal have just made the one major signing this summer, with Granit Xhaka joining them from Borussia Monchengladbach. Wenger will look make at least two more signings — a centre-back and a striker — in what could be his final year at the club. After rejection from Vardy, the Gunners have now turned to the Serie A to find a solution to their striking problem, with Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi reportedly on the club’s radar.
