Shock Jamie Vardy move vetoed by Arsenal legend after reaching agreement | Football
Jamie Vardy was close to joining Serie A side Genoa, but the move was vetoed by their manager, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, according to reports in Italy.
The 38-year-old left Leicester City at the end of last season after an epic 13-year stint with the club.
The 26-cap England international ended his career with the Foxes with some lovely rounded stats, making 500 appearances and scoring 200 goals.
The Yorkshireman won the Premier League with Leicester in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021.
Vardy has left the King Power, but he is not retiring just yet, intending to play on as he edges towards 40 years old.
He remains without a club, though, after a move to Genoa was agreed, but vetoed late in the day.
Italian publication La Repubblica, via Tutto Mercato, report that Geona sporting director Flavio Ricciardella put together a deal to bring Vardy to the club.
A deal was agreed, with private sponsors reportedly helping to finance a move for the Premier League icon.
However, Vieira has vetoed the move, with the Frenchman not envisaging the veteran striker fitting into his style of play.
Vieira replaced Alberto Gilardino as Genoa manager in November last year, with the club in danger of a relegation battle.
Their fortunes improved under the former France star, though, finishing 13th in Serie A and last month Vieira signed a contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2027.
Jamie Vardy’s next club odds
What is next for Vardy is still to become clear, although the club most spoken about as his next destination has been Glasgow Rangers.
The bookmakers have Rangers as favourites to be the striker’s next club, while a move to America is also a possibility, while he could still make a switch to Italy.
Cesc Fabregas’ Como are short-priced in the Vardy market, while the most fancied English team is Nottingham Forest.
Jamie Vardy’s next club odds
Rangers 7/4
Any MLS Club 11/4
Como 3/1
Nottingham Forest 7/2
Wrexham 9/2
Celtic 7/1
Everton 8/1
Sheffield Wednesday 8/1
Leeds 8/1
Man Utd 10/1
On departing Leicester, Vardy said to the Foxes fans: ‘I’ve enjoyed every minute of this. I look forward to keeping an eye on the club I love. They are in my heart.
‘From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking myself and my family in as your own. I hope I’ve repaid you.’
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