Wenger: I offered Vardy a lot of money to join Arsenal

Emmet Gates

• Updated: 19 May 2021 19:39 BST
• 2 min read

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he offered Leicester striker Jamie Vardy “a lot of money” to sign for the club in 2016.

Arsenal had been in talks with Leicester over signing the English striker following their historic Premier League win in 2015/16.

Vardy, then 29, was reportedly tempted by Arsenal’s offer, but decided to stay put at Leicester.

Talking as a pundit for beIN Sports, Wenger admits that he did want to sign the striker, and offered a big contract in order to entice him to sign for the north London side.

“I offered him a lot of money at the time,” admits Wenger. “But I think Leicester had just won the title, and Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha absolutely did not want to lose him.

“They offered him a longer contract, with approximately the same money, if not more,” continued Wenger.

Wenger was then asked if Vardy could’ve fit into his style of play at The Emirates, and the Frenchman states that he believes that he could’ve.

“We had more of the ball, yes, ‘said Wenger. “But around the box, the timing of his runs, and he finds the space to goal.

“When you see the big strikers, they are on the move, never standing still in the box, and he has that, you know.

“They read the game earlier than others, they anticipate better, they react quicker, than others.”

Vardy joined Leicester in 2012 from Fleetwood Town, and has rattled in 144 goals in 332 games for The Foxes.

He’s been capped 26 times by England, scoring seven times.

Wenger left Arsenal in the summer of 2018 after 22 years at the club, which included winning three Premier League titles.

He hasn’t taken up another coaching role since his departure, and can be seen as a pundit across various TV channels.