Zimpapers Logo

INDECISION . . . Jamie Vardy yesterday flew out with the rest of the England squad for 2016 Euro, with his club future still unresolved

LONDON. — Arsenal are in talks to add Riyad Mahrez to the signing of Jamie Vardy in a stunning double raid on Leicester.

Arsene Wenger has already met the £20 million release clause of Foxes striker Vardy.

But now in another incredible twist, Vardy is set to be joined by his PFA Player of the Year team-mate Mahrez.

Vardy yesterday boarded England’s flight to France ahead of Euro 2016, with the Leicester striker still deciding on whether to complete a £20million transfer to Arsenal.

Vardy was still mulling over his proposed £20 million move to Arsenal as he boarded the England team plane for the European Championship with Leicester making their striker a new contract offer.

The FWA Player of the Year is facing the biggest decision of his career and wants to take his time, albeit aware of the intense focus on Arsene Wenger’s bold transfer approach.

Leicester are determined to keep hold of Vardy, scorer of 24 Premier League goals last season, and are proposing fresh terms of more than £100 000 per week in counter to Arsenal’s six-figure proposal.

Vardy, travelling with England, is not believed to have put a time limit on when he will make a final call and any announcement may take longer than another 24 hours.

He feels loyalty to the champions but, at 29 and having only played professional football for four years, is tempted by the chance to sign for one of England’s traditionally-elite clubs.

He is balancing the finances along with the prospect of leading Leicester in the Champions League, or challenging for the title again at Arsenal.

Roy Hodgson wanted the 29-year-old to make a decision on his future before linking up with the Three Lions squad in Chantilly today.

A deal was expected to be reached for Vardy to join Arsenal over the weekend after the Gunners triggered his £20 million release clause.

But Vardy’s transfer is not yet over the line despite suggestions England boss Hodgson could have granted him special dispensation by allowing him extra time to make up his mind.

The Three Lions jetted off to their training base in Chantilly yesterday morning with Vardy part of the travelling party.

Vardy has delayed making a decision after Leicester urged him to wait for them to make him a counter-offer to the £120 000-a-week four-year deal Arsenal have put on the table.

That is double what 29-year-old Vardy is currently on at Leicester and the English Premier League champions are fighting to match that offer.

Those close to Vardy believe he is leaning towards a move to the Emirates but has not yet made a final decision.

Arsenal were hoping to do a medical and complete negotiations before he went to France as Hodgson did not want transfer talk disrupting his plans.

Leicester are clearly thinking about the future as they have enquired about Watford captain Troy Deeney and will make a £10million bid if Vardy goes.

It would be a hammer blow for Leicester to lose their 24-goal top scorer and they fear selling him would send a bad signal to in-demand duo N’Golo Kante and Mahrez.

The Gunners have been shocked that Mahrez’s release clause is so low and now have well and truly sparked the break-up of the Premier League-winning Foxes team. The 25-year-old cost Leicester only £400 000 from Le Havre in January 2014 and after a slow start became a Prem superstar.

Claudio Ranieri was forced to admit “it’s all true” when asked about star striker Vardy’s release clause being met.

But the swoop for Mahrez also means that Theo Walcott’s future at the Emirates is all-but over.

The winger has been frozen out of the Arsenal first-team after an injury-riddled career and now looks likely to head to West Ham. The North London club had another disappointing season last term, falling off the pace in the Premier League behind Tottenham and champs Leicester.

Eventually they overhauled Spurs into second, on the last day of the season.

But Arsenal fans were united in their disappointment around their title assault in a season where Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all faltered.

West Ham are considering a £25 million move for Arsenal forward Walcott, according to reports. — The Mirror-The Sun.