Arsene Wenger reveals Arsenal's desperate plans to sign Jamie Vardy for £20m in 2016

Former Arsenal manr Arsene Wenger has opened up about Arsenal’s intentions to sign Leicester City star Jamie Vardy over half a decade ago. Wenger revealed that Gunners tried to sign Jamie Vardy and pursue English international to join m in 2016.

London based outfit attempted to trigger Jamie Vardy’s £20 million release clause immediately after Leicester City lifted Premier League. Wenger mentioned how he tried everything he could to persuade Jamie Vardy and recalled a meeting between him and striker following Euro 2016.

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Jamie Vardy to Arsenal: How did Arsene Wenger try to sign Englishman?

former Arsenal boss shared how he could t convince Vardy to switch and make a move from Foxes and play for Gunners. Speaking with Richard Keys, Wenger was asked how close he was to signing Vardy. He revealed that club offered striker a lot of money at time.

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Frenchman added that Leicester had just won Championship in 2016, and Vichai did t want to lose him at time. Wenger revealed how Leicester went on to offer Vardy a longer contract for same amount if t more which made English international remain at King Power stadium.

Jamie Vardy transfer: Why did deal collapse?

Arsenal’s transfer negotiator in 2016, Dick Law, spoke to Athletic and went on to mention how deal went south. He mentioned how Vardy visited club with his wife Rebekah after Gunners had agreed on a deal with Leicester and player. Law mentioned how English striker sat on couch in front of Wenger and n he backed off from deal.

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Speaking on his failed move to Arsenal, Sunsport had quoted Vardy saying how he tried to look at both pros and cons of move. Vardy mentioned how Arsenal believed that y could help Vardy score more with players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil creating chances alongside him. Gunners also thought y could benefit from having a striker like him at top finishing off chances.

However, Vardy went on to speak how he looked at tactical aspect as Arsenal played out a possession-based style of play which was a major letdown for him. He spoke how Arsenal’s style of play did t see m move ball forward quickly. While on or hand, Leicester move ball up fast while Vardy does what he likes, which is, making those runs behind opponents’ defence.

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Vardy, who had recently gotten married back n in 2016 was also expecting his second child when Arsenal looked to sign him. He went on to add how he even looked at new schools for children along with his wife. But he felt that at that st of life his heart and head wanted him to stay at Leicester.