Arsene Wenger has moved to put an end to speculation linking Jamie Vardy with a move to Arsenal this summer, saying that the striker is staying with Leicester City.
The Gunners have been awaiting the 29-year-old England international’s decision over the last three weeks after matching Vardy’s release clause with the Premier League champions.
It had been thought the deal would be concluded before Vardy travelled with the Three Lions for Euro 2016 but no official announcement was made by either club prior to the international tournament.
Despite verbally agreeing the broad strokes of a deal, Arsenal had held concerns Vardy would opt to remain with Claudio Ranieri’s side – who are reported to have offered him a new £120,000-per-week deal – rather than choosing to sign with the Premier League giants.
And it appears Wenger has confirmed these fears have been realised, explicitly saying that he believes the former non-league player is staying with the Foxes.
The Frenchman said in an interview with Tencent Sports, an arm of Chinese internet giants for whom Wenger has previously done punditry work off-season during World Cup 2014: “At the moment Jamie Vardy is at Leicester and, on what I know, he will stay at Leicester.”
Vardy scored 24 goals in the Premier League this season, helping his side to an unprecedented championship win. The forward also got England’s equaliser from the bench during the 2-1 win over Wales on Thursday.
Prior to triggering Vardy’s release clause, Arsenal were interested in signing Juventus striker Alvaro Morata.
The Spain international, who scored a brace in his nation’s 3-0 win over Turkey on Friday evening, will return to Real Madrid if the La Liga runners- up activate their £23m buyback clause. Los Blancos will then decide whether to retain their former youngster or sell him on at a profit, potentially to Arsenal or Premier League rivals Chelsea.
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