SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Jamie Vardy’s future as a Leicester City player in doubt, we take a look at the latest ongoings surrounding the striker
Jamie Vardy’s Leicester City future is in the balance, with the forward’s current contract at the King Power Stadium set to expire at the end of next month.
The 37-year-old fired home 18 goals in the Foxes’ Championship winning season, with his return of 0.92 goals per 90 the best return by any player in the second tier.
But after more than a decade with the club which has seen him earn two promotions as well as that historic Premier League title in 2016, the veteran may be left looking elsewhere ahead of the next campaign.
With plenty of hints and cryptic messages to decipher regarding the striker’s future, we take a look at the latest news surrounding the Foxes’ frontman ahead of the summer.
Manchester United legend urges Vardy to join League new boys Wrexham
With his goal-getting ability as good as ever, Vardy would be an incredible pickup for any side in the EFL if he were to leave the King Power Stadium, although wages could be an issue for the majority of the 72 teams in the Football League.
According to Capology, the striker is the Foxes’ top-earner this season, with his £140,000 weekly wage making him the only player in the squad to earn a six-figure salary every seven days.
With his goals helping to secure a return to the Premier League, you could say that the hitman helped to justify that sort of money, but he will more than likely have to take a hit to the pocked if he is to move on during the off-season.
| Jamie Vardy 23/24 Championship stats | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 35 | |||||||
| Starts | 18 | |||||||
| Goals | 18 | |||||||
| Assists | 2 | |||||||
| Goals/90 | 0.92 | |||||||
| Source: FBRef | ||||||||
One side that has cash to splash is Wrexham, with Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds likely to invest in the side after their promotion to League One.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes a move to the Welsh side would be ideal for Vardy if he isn’t going to secure a move to the top flight.
Speaking on Vibe with FIVE, Ferdinand said: “He’s got to play another season in the Premier League. I want to see him get a couple of goals in the Premier League, it’s nice. The only club I’d like him to go to if he leaves is Wrexham.”
“It’s got that Hollywood feel and he’s had a bit of a Hollywood career. Started from the bottom now we’re here, and he wants to reverse that.”
Wrexham director Humphrey Ker added more fuel to the fire regarding a transfer when speaking to SPORTbible last week: “There’s nothing to say that Jamie Vardy wouldn’t be a great Wrexham player. It’s not a name I’ve had mentioned inside the building before but, you know, age and profile wouldn’t put us off.”
Enzo Maresca drops Leicester City contract hint
Despite rumours of a move elsewhere, Leicester boss Enzo Maresca has revealed that Vardy is currently in discussions with the club about an extension to his current deal.
“Jamie is already discussing his new contract with the club so hopefully we can have a solution,” the Italian told BBC Radio Leicester.
The one snag with extending the current deal could be the transfer embargo that City are currently under for financial irregularities, with the EFL sanction said to be running until June 6.
The EFL states that the Foxes can start ‘re-engagement with currently registered players’, loan an emergency goalkeeper, register academy players and register players if they have fewer than 24 ‘established players’ (players aged 21 or over as of June 30 immediately prior to the commencement of the season in which the club is subject to the embargo and who has been named in the starting XI on a total of five occasions).
The Premier League are yet to say whether they will continue the embargo once their EFL period comes to an end.
Pundit’s “daft” message to Leicester City owners
Former Liverpool man and current pundit Stephen Warnock believes that it would make sense for the Foxes to keep Vardy as they return to the Premier League, with the experienced striker proving he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level.
Speaking to Football League World, Warnock said: “It’s a very interesting one because he doesn’t look like slowing down, and what I’ve been impressed with is that he’s accepted he won’t play every game, and often you see players sulk about that, but he’s really embraced it and accepted that.
“I think he accepted that a while ago, and when he stepped away from England, I think he knew that to prolong his career certain sacrifices would have to be made to do that, and I think he’s understood the management this season and taken on board that he’s not going to play every minute.
“I think you would be daft to get rid of him. He understands the Premier League, he’s got a winning mentality, and he’s good round the dressing room from the people that I’ve spoken to.
“He’s not going to be able to command what he’s on at the moment because of his age, but he’s always spoken so highly about Leicester City and the opportunity they’ve given him, and he’s repaying them.”
