However, reports emerged earlier today that Arsenal, whose 12-year wait for a league title continued courtesy of a second-placed finish last term, have triggered a £20m release clause in Vardy’s contract.
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“Stay with the Champions”, Lineker posted on Twitter.
Arsenal are close to signing Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy after triggering a £20 million release clause in his contract.
Vardy scored 24 goals in the Foxes’ triumphant campaign, forging a brilliant understanding with Riyad Mahrez, who has been linked with Arsenal in the past.
According to the Guardian, the Gunners want to bolster their attack with the addition of Leicester’s title-winning striker, Jamie Vardy. The striker’s representatives are said to have sounded out top clubs across Europe regarding his availability despite Vardy signing a new three-and-a-half year deal in February this year.
It is possible that Leicester will now offer Vardy another new contract to try to persuade him to remain at the King Power Stadium and see out his career there.
That was an indication of his central role in the team’s success, and to lose their principal forward would be a major blow to Leicester and the club’s Thai owners, regardless of the money coming in.
Like Vardy, Lineker was top scorer in the top flight with Leicester before leaving, in his case for Everton in 1985.
Leicester have not give up hope of holding on to Vardy.
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Vardy was asked by SSN HQ last month about his future, and about the possibility of big clubs trying to sign him, and he said: “I just won the Premier League and now I’m in the Champions League”. This past year, he went from a relative unknown to runaway PFA Player of the Year.
