Leicester’s supporters are probably most hopeful to never have to face the impact of Jamie Vardy on the pitch as an opponent. So, you can list the entirety of the EFL Championship as clubs the fans do not want to see Vardy exit the Foxes for. However, realistically we have got to expect either a large Premier League side or foreign side looking for a big-name signing to excite their fanbase will be the team that eventually sign the talismanic striker.
On top of those considerations, supporters need to be content with the fact that Vardy will want to sign for a squad that offers playtime, and possibly a chance to continue his top division career for a little while longer. With that in mind, the list of possible clubs that are also interested dwindles. Let us have a short look at the interested parties.
Leicester City’s in-demand former striker
In the Premier League, Everton, Newcastle United, newly promoted Sunderland, and West Ham United could be tempted to make a move for the legendary forward. Of those, I would detest a move to Newcastle and Everton. Everton should have been relegated a long time ago, being saved by contesting EPL points deductions and by poor referee decisions which relegated Leicester or took us out of the Champions League spots in the final matches of multiple seasons. Newcastle is just a graveyard for older talents as they bring in fresh blood with their Saudi oil money.
However, the Hammers and Sunderland offer a fair proposition. In neither does Vardy immediately face the King Power Club next campaign, in both we have exciting talents and good managers looking to improve their sides, and it gives him an opportunity to try and climb the Premier League goalscoring records. Tottenham Hotspur’s are a recent addition to the interested parties, but to leave one sinking ship of overpaid talents performing poorly for another would be a little crass.
Across the world, Valencia, Como, Celtic, Rangers, MLS sides, and Saudi Pro League teams are showing interest in bringing Jamie Vardy into their team. Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are perhaps the side I would be least surprised but certainly unhappy to see the talisman move to. Leicester City’s retirement ground up north should not see Kasper Schmeichel, Rodgers, and Vardy reunited. It would be poetic but annoying to see two legends and our most successful yet tragic manager yet together.
However, the Saudi Pro Leagues offer big name signings an insane financial proposition: tax free excessively high wages to end your career playing amongst overpaid, satiated and washed up talents, an extremely weak domestic football scene, and a small number of sensational talents that give up career and development for the money. If Vardy joined the Saudi Leagues, I think supporters would be understanding but extremely disappointed in the player who defined what it meant to be ‘Leicester’.
After Leicester City’s No.9 announced his retirement, Leeds United were mentioned as a possible destination alongside Wrexham. Of course, Wrexham does not meet the minimum requirements for the English chronicled forward to join them, and would offer nothing but celebrity money and advertisements. Leeds however I think Vardy would do well at, and yet many would be disappointed if he joined our former Championship title rivals.
So, Tottenham, Celtic, the Saudi teams, and possibly Leeds would be the worst teams for the Foxes’ Jamie Vard to join. Everton, Como, and Newcastle United would be poor fits and disappointing transfers. However, Rangers, Sunderland, Valencia, and the MLS could offer Vardy an interesting move, avoid facing the Foxes next campaign at the minimum, and not join any rivals of the club.