As Arsenal struggle to sign a top class striker in time for the new Premier League season, Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy has spoken of how easy it was to turn down an offer to move to the Gunners this summer.
Vardy was one of Leicester City’s top goal scorers last season, a season that shocked the world when the Foxes, 5000/1 outsiders for the Premier League title, defied the odds and picked up their first league title in their history.
Since the season ended in May, clubs from around Europe have laid siege to the King Power Stadium and its heroes. N’Golo Kante has already been tempted away to London and the riches of Chelsea while Riyad Mahrez is reportedly being pursued by Wenger and the Gunners.
However, it was Jamie Vardy that was the first Leicester player targeted and it was again Arsenal that led the charge to sign the England international. With an offer tabled prior to the European Championships in June, there was a tense wait for Leicester City fans as Vardy was not to make a decision until he returned from international duties.
As it turns out, fans need not have worried as while Vardy chose to remain with the side that brought him from non-league obscurity to the Premier League, it was the manner of his decision that will give fans a warm fuzzy feeling.
Speaking to Sky Sports New HQ, Vardy admits that the decision to remain with the champions was a very simply one.
“It’s not been put out there that I have always said the boys, the close-knit brotherhood, is unbelievable and for me, there’s a lot of unfinished business here”
“I feel that the club is only going one way and that is forward, that’s why I want to be a part of it.”
“It wasn’t that big [the decision] when I think about it. It was quite easy and this is where I want to be.”
Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri and fans alike will be hoping that Vardy’s words will have an affect on teammate Riyad Mahrez as he mulls over his own decision to stay or go.