Jamie Vardy makes admission over Arsenal’s previous interest
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has been speaking about the effects of Arsenal’s interest in him ahead of Euro 2016.
The Daily Star report that Vardy was the subject of a £25m bid from the Gunners just before the tournament began, which wasn’t ideal preparation for the 31-year-old.
Vardy had just fired his club to their shock Premier League success and was going to France on a high having scored 24 goals that campaign.
He was expected to lead the line with Harry Kane, but the tournament ended in despair as England were knocked out by minnows Iceland at the round of 16 stage.
When reflecting on the interest from Arsenal, Vardy said:
It wasn’t an irritation. There was just a lot of time when we were in our rooms to think about it. It wasn’t something you could just put to the back of your mind.
But I made my decision back then and I’ve not looked back since, carried on, played my football, been doing well for my club and I think that’s what’s got me the opportunity where I can go to a World Cup.
The Euros was a new experience for me and the World Cup is going to be but obviously the Euros is a major tournament as well and you know exactly what you’ve got coming so you can be more relaxed about it knowing I have been there before.
Vardy will of course travel to Russia this summer as Gareth Southgate’s men attempt to restore some national pride by performing a lot better in this summer’s World Cup.
He has just had another successful campaign, scoring 20 Premier League goals as the Foxes finished ninth.