Arsenal to buy Vardy for a record £20m
Arsenal are i n t alks with Leicester City and are set to meet record-breaking striker Jamie Vardy's release clause, believed to be in the region of £20m.
The 29- year- old, who scored 24 goals last season, agreed terms on a new three-and-a-half-year deal in February and has attracted the courtship of Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham since the winter transfer window.
Vardy signed for the Premier League champions from Fleetwood for £1m in 2012 and has previously stated his intention to stay in the East Midlands but could be swayed by an improvement on his £60,000-a-week wages.
It has since transpired that Arsenal plan to meet his release clause and they will undoubtedly be prepared to offer the striker a considerable hike in salary.
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has previously praised Vardy, saying: “Yes he is worth [up to] £30m, because he is the best goalscorer in the league. You have many players under him who have been paid much more, and who don't score that number of goals. Without a doubt, he is worth that money today.”
Vardy is currently with the England squad ahead of the European Championship in France. But his place in Roy Hodgson's starting line-up is in jeopardy after a frustrating 1-0 victory against Portugal at Wembley on Thursday drew criticism.
The England manager has also warned players against seeking out transfers during the tournament, looking to avoid the sort of furore which occured on Friday night, with his side preparing to face Russia in Marseille next Saturday. Hodgson is unlikely to allow such a high-profile transfer to rumble into the Euro campaign - meaning Vardy faces a short time to make a decision.
Meanwhile, Leicester have completed their first signing of the summer, announcing the £2.6m capture of goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler from Hannover. Operating as back-up for Manuel Neuer in the Germany set-up, making six caps, Zieler has continued to impress for Hannover since leaving Manchester United in the summer of 2010. THE INDEPENDENT