Arsenal may struggle to sign Vardy before Euros

Matt Stead

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has been the subject of a bid from Arsenal but the Gunners might struggle to get any proposed deal completed before the England international departs for the European Championships.

It is understood Arsenal have made an offer for Vardy, although it remains unclear if this triggered any release clause in the player’s contract. Is the striker, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Manchester United, the right signing for the wrong club?

Should such a clause exist, reported to be £20million, the nature of such caveats could make further reports that Arsenal hope to complete the signing before Vardy jets off to France with Roy Hodgson’s squad on Monday somewhat optimistic.

The Daily Mail are among numerous outlets reporting that the Gunners are keen to sign Vardy by Monday at the latest, meaning that time could be against them.

If a deal cannot be finalised over the weekend then Arsenal may have to wait to get their man as England boss Hodgson would not want the distraction of transfer business affecting his squad during the tournament.

Vardy, who in February signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Leicester, scored 24 goals to help propel the Foxes to the Barclays Premier League title.

With Euro 2016 beginning next week, Vardy’s focus has been on England duty but he may now have a major career decision to make – which aged 29 could be the last chance of a big-money move for a player who was plying his trade for Stocksbridge Park Steels as recently as 2010.