Jamie Vardy has been linked to West HamImago

Championship club installed as new favourite to sign Jamie Vardy

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at Reach PLC and PA Media; University of Central Lancashire graduate. FOCUS Fan-engagement content and match analysis across the Premier League and Championship. THE INSIGHT Oliver utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified reporting and fan-first content. He provides the human stories behind the results to ensure fans get the full picture as it happens.

Published on:

11 Aug 2026, 2:20 pm

Championship new boys West Ham are the new bookies' favourites to sign Jamie Vardy after he left Cremonese at the end of his contract.

The Hammers have had a busy transfer window that is showing no signs of slowing down ahead of the new league season.

Their first Championship campaign since 2011-12 gets underway on Sunday as they travel to fellow relegated side Burnley.

Nuno Espirito Santo has stayed on at the London Stadium and retained a large portion of his squad from last season.

Free agent Vardy has now emerged as an option for the Irons, and they are the favourites to be his next club with two top UK bookmakers.

He left Cremonese earlier this summer after his one-year contract expired following their relegation to Serie B.

West Ham odds-on to sign Jamie Vardy before summer window closes

Vardy is a name synonymous with one of the greatest stories in football history after he fired Leicester to the Premier League title in 2016.

He registered 200 goals in 500 games for the Foxes between 2012 and 2025, leaving as a club hero after they were relegated back to the second tier.

The former England striker turned 39 in January, but has no plans to hang up his boots after a short stint in Serie A.

He was one of Cremonese's shining lights despite their relegation last season, with seven goals and two assists in 29 appearances.

Recent reports have claimed that West Ham are weighing up offering Vardy a contract to add to Nuno's attacking options for 2026-27.

They have now been installed as the 3/10 favourites to sign him this summer with two top UK bookmakers.

Troy Parrott 'has made up his mind' on West Ham move as 'big' offer lined up

Which other clubs are in the running for Vardy?

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Hammers target Troy Parrott does not want to return to English football this summer, which may be why they are linked with a fresh move for Vardy.

Nuno is only likely to add one new striker to his ranks, with Taty Castellanos and Pablo still at the club for now.

West Ham are the favourites to sign Vardy, but face competition from Leicester who come in at 7/2 odds to be his next club.

A Cremonese return has been given 5/1 odds, while Wrexham have been priced at 6/1 to sign the 39-year-old before the window closes.

West Ham United Football Club