Jamie Vardy scored 24 Premier League goals for Leicester last season, and speculation is now mounting over a proposed switch to Arsenal.
Jamie Vardy’s release clause has been met according to reports
TalkSport pundit and former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has taken to social media network Twitter to highlight the dilemma Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri will face if he loses star striker Jamie Vardy to Premier League rivals Arsenal.
BBC Sport are reporting that the Gunners have met the £20 million release clause in Vardy’s contract, and Collymore took to Twitter, raising the question of whether Ranieri will change his side’s playing style, or opt for a like-for-like replacement:
Vardy has now moved into 1/5 to join Arsenal with betting company SkyBet, and he is looking ever more like making the move to the Gunners. Should a move come to fruition, a replacement with similar attributes to the 29-year-old former Fleetwood Town man will surely be high on Ranieri’s agenda.
Collymore brought up the idea of Southampton’s Shane Long, and there would not be many Premier League players in his price range better suited to fill the void left behind by Vardy.
Southampton’s Shane Long would be the ideal replacement should Vardy’s expected move to Arsenal materialise
The former Reading striker is of the same age of Vardy, is highly experienced in the Premier League, has blistering pace over short distances and is an accomplished finisher.
Ronald Koeman was the man who brought Long to St Mary’s, and with speculation mounting over his switch to Everton, Leicester moving for the Republic of Ireland international would seem to make sense.
29-year-old Jamie Vardy has attracted attention from Arsene Wenger
What route Ranieri and Leicester end up taking will depend firstly on if Vardy ends up leaving the King Power as expected, and secondly, what strikers are actually available to buy.
Vardy’s exit and Long’s availability both look to be good possibilities at present.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri will face a dilemma if Vardy leaves
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