Arsenal trigger Vardy’s Leicester buy-out clause-reports

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) – Arsenal have triggered a buy-out clause in striker Jamie Vardy’s contract with English champions Leicester City after making a bid of about 20 million pounds ($29.04 million), several British media reports said on Friday.

Vardy, who is in England’s 23-man squad for the Euro 2016 finals in France that start next week, scored 24 Premier League goals last season as Leicester won the top-flight crown for the first time in their history.

The 29-year-old was chosen as Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association and was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s team of the year.

Former England forward Gary Lineker, a Leicester fan, has urged Vardy not to leave.

“Stay with the Champions @vardy7 don’t join the perennial also-rans,” Lineker said on his Twitter account.

Meanwhile France and Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has fuelled speculation that Jamie Vardy is on his way to the Gunners by saying he has heard the Leicester City striker is keen to move.

“I have been told that Jamie wants to join us and it’s very good news for us,” the striker told Sky Sports after scoring twice in France’s 3-0 friendly win against Scotland on Saturday.

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