Fleetwood could see multi-million pound boost if stalling Vardy deal goes ahead

Fleetwood Town will have to wait to see if they are in line for an alleged multi-million pound windfall as ex-player Jamie Vardy's proposed £20m move to Arsenal stalls.
Jamie Vardy in action for England. Picture credit: PAJamie Vardy in action for England. Picture credit: PA
Jamie Vardy in action for England. Picture credit: PA

Vardy left Highbury in 2012 to join Leicester City for £1m and the Gazette understands that Fleetwood slapped a 20 percent sell-on clause on the England striker.

Vardy’s goals helped fire Leicester to the 2015/16 Premier League title but one of their title rivals Arsenal triggered a £20m release clause in Vardy’s contract on Friday.

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He allegedly met with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger on Friday and it was believed that the 29-year-old, who is still tied down to a three year £80,000 a week contract at Leicester, was set to make a decision before England flew out to France for Euro 16 yesterday lunchtime.

But the Leicester Mercury says the striker has opted to take a few more days to mull over his future before deciding to stick with Claudio Ranieri’s reigning champions or make the switch to Arsenal.

Back at Highbury one of Vardy’s former team mates captain Nathan Pond signed up for his 14th season at the club.

The centre half penned a new one-year deal on Friday and boss Steven Pressley says it is a great bit of business.

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Pressley said: “It’s terrific business and terrific news for us. He very much epitomises what we want to create within this club.

“He’s a great professional who has a winning mentality and he’s a really good leader. We’re delighted to retain his services.

“When I first arrived at the club Nathan was injured and then returned to the team and performed exceptionally well for me.

“He then unfortunately picked up another knock later in the season, but he returned back to the team again towards the end of the season and his performances were very, very high.”

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Pressley brought in centre-halves Cian Bolger and Ashley Eastham last month on free transfers.

Now with Pond tied down for another year and central defenders Joe Davis and Marcus Nilsson also under contract Pressley says he has a wealth of competition for the two spots in the heart of defence.

He said: “It now gives us real competition for places in a key area. I want there to be a real fight for places with competition in every department.”