NORWICH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Jamie Vardy (3rd L) of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Leicester City at Carrow Road on October 3, 2015 in Norwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy Isn’t Going Anywhere in January
These Jamie Vardy transfer stories are just way too predictable. “Rumors” have popped up that clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham are hot on the English striker and will move for him in January. The truth is that Leicester are almost certain to hold on to their front man through the upcoming window.
I’m not sure if you noticed but Leicester is currently sitting fifth in the Premier League table. It would be a slap in the face to their fan base to sell any of their key players in January.
What would be even worse for their fans would be to sell them to another Premier League team. Imagine the fan discord watching Vardy score a key, late season goal against them in another shirt. Leicester City ownership just can’t do that to their fans.
In previous years, one of the “big” Premier League teams could make a godfather financial offer and force their hand. The new Premier League TV deal makes that much more difficult to do. A team like Leicester can afford to hold on to its best players now. They can also afford to offer him wages at least in the ballpark of their larger peers.
It’s not as if Real Madrid or Barcelona is primed to swoop in for Vardy. While there have been some rumors of their interest I’m not going to dignify them by linking them in this space. He isn’t that good of a player. He isn’t a 19-year-old prospect lighting the league on fire, he’s a 28-year-old who’s having the season of his life.
This isn’t a knock on Vardy, but he’s not Luis Suarez. He isn’t someone who a La Liga giant is going to move heaven and earth to acquire.
Let’s not forget that there is still plenty out there for Leicester to play for. I don’t think they can hold on to fifth, or as some of their most optimistic fans suggest, mount a top-four push, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility they could push for European qualification.
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For a team like Leicester who were fighting to stay up last season, that would be an immense accomplishment. They can’t afford to sell a striker who is averaging a goal-a-game if they’re going to push to stay in the top eight.
The new Premier League TV deal has changed the economics of transfers from one EPL team to another. Teams like Leicester no longer lack the financial ability to compete with their peers. They don’t have to sell off players like Vardy anymore.
The influx of TV cash allows them to hold on to their stars in the face of all but the most financially ludicrous of offers. Fortunately for Leicester fans, I don’t see a club like Liverpool or Tottenham going that crazy over Vardy in January.
So rejoice Leicester fans. The times have changed. If your ownership has the slightest backbone you can hold on to Jamie Vardy, Ryad Mahrez and the whole gang to push on with your dream season. Jamie Vardy, in particular, isn’t going anywhere in January.
