The 29-year-old scored 24 Premier League goals this season, helping the Foxes to a surprise title victory. PHOTO/DAILY MAIL.
LEICESTER, United Kingdom May 24 – Jamie Vardy is available to Champions League clubs for 2.9 billion Kenya Shillings this summer.
The Leicester striker recently revealed his intention to stay at the King Power Stadium next season but the fact he can be prised away for a cut price fee will alert Premier League rivals.
Vardy, who had the release clause inserted into the contract he signed in February, was extensively scouted by Manchester City during his 24-goal Premier League campaign and has also drawn interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham.
The 29-year-old has expressed his happiness at champions Leicester, who signed him from non-League Fleetwood for 146 millions shillings in 2012, and repeatedly praised the team’s unity for helping his game.
But, given his ambitions, he would inevitably have a decision to make were a club to trigger the release clause.
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester’s vice-chairman, has admitted some players have release clauses written into contracts.
But Leicester are determined to keep hold of all their prized assets this summer and are set to negotiate new contracts with key players including N’Golo Kante, who is also understood to have a for 2.9 billion Kenya Shillings release clause, as revealed by Sportsmail last month, and Riyad Mahrez, the PFA Player of the Year.
Manager Claudio Ranieri is also expected to be offered fresh terms after guiding Leicester to their first top-flight title, while assistant managers Steve Walsh and Craig Shakespeare signed improved deals last week.
Vardy penned his current contract at the end of the winter window, raising his basic pay from 5.8 million shillings per week to around 11.6 million shillings but another improved deal for the FWA Player of the Year cannot be ruled out.
Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha imposed a 5.8 million shillings per week ceiling on players following promotion to the Premier League but that will inevitably rise given the 24.8 billion shilling revenue expected to come Leicester’s way as champions.
The Thai family, hugely generous to fans and players previously, are exploring ways of rewarding the squad for their remarkable season.
