No news on Leicester future, says Vardy

Chantilly (France) (AFP) – Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy said on Saturday that there have been no developments regarding his future at the club, as he focuses on his England duties at Euro 2016.

Vardy, whose 24 goals inspired Leicester’s fairytale Premier League triumph, is thought to be considering an approach from Arsenal, who have reportedly triggered his £20 million ($28.7 million, 25.5 million euros) release clause.

But having scored 11 minutes after coming off the bench in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Wales in Lens, which left England on the brink of the last 16, he says that he is only thinking about international matters.

Asked if there was any news about his future, he told a press conference at England’s Chantilly media centre: “No, not at all.

“I’m here completely focusing on England and that’s all I want to focus on at the moment.”

Leicester vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has expressed hope that the prospect of Champions League football next season will help the club persuade Vardy, 29, to stay.

“You will see the news very soon, but I think he will stay,” he told Saturday’s edition of Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper.

“I think so, let’s see. We need to build the team. We keep continuing to believe that we can do something special in the Premier League and the Champions League.”

England face Slovakia in their final Group B game in Saint-Etienne on Monday, needing a point to secure a place in the next round and a victory to guarantee that they progress as group winners.

Reports suggest that Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, who came on to score a stoppage-time winner against Wales, could come into England’s starting XI, with Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane felt to be at risk.