Jamie Vardy to Celtic: O’Rourke ‘surprised’ as transfer update revealed
Celtic aren’t yet in advanced talks to sign Jamie Vardy this summer despite Brendan Rodgers’ request for attacking reinforcements, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about Celtic’s pursuit of the former Leicester City striker.
Vardy left Leicester at the end of last season after 13 years, 500 games and 200 goals for the Foxes, but remains a free agent and without a new club despite the new campaign being underway across Europe.
Football Insider revealed last month that Rangers had opened talks to sign Vardy, but Celtic have since overtaken their Old Firm rivals in the race for the 38-year-old thanks to his connection with Rodgers.
However, sources have told Football Insider that reports of advanced talks between Celtic and Vardy are currently wide of the mark, with the veteran England striker in no rush to make a decision on his future.
Vardy being without a club at this stage of the transfer window comes as a “surprise” to Football Insider sources, but Celtic’s decision on the striker will be determined by their participation in the league phase of the Champions League.
Celtic play Jamie Vardy waiting game despite need for ‘firepower’
Football Insider revealed on 13 August that Celtic plan to sign a centre-back, winger and striker before the end of the transfer window, and Rodgers would welcome a reunion with Vardy to fill the gap up front.
Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke stated that despite Celtic’s need to “bring in more firepower”, their talks with Vardy are not in an advanced stage despite a clear appeal to all parties.
“I don’t think it’s as advanced as people are suggesting”, he told Football Insider.
“My understanding is [that] Jamie Vardy is quite relaxed over his future. He’s not going to rush into anything, he will wait and see what offers do come in for him.
“It’s a surprise that he’s still without a club – we know what a prolific striker Jamie Vardy is and what he can offer to teams.
“It’s an obvious link due to the Brendan Rodgers connection, and obviously Celtic are in the market for new forwards. Celtic need to bring in more firepower, there’s no doubts about that.
“Celtic are waiting to see whether they’re going to qualify for the Champions League league stage.
“For Jamie Vardy, the chance to work with Brendan Rodgers, and the possibility to play in the Champions League again, would be something appealing.
“I would never say never, but I don’t think it’s advanced as has been suggested.”
Premier League interest could delay Celtic’s Vardy talks
Although the chance to play under Rodgers’ tutelage in Europe’s elite club competition would certainly appeal to Vardy, so too would the opportunity to continue his career as a Premier League frontman.
Everton‘s need for a new striker was laid bare in their opening-weekend defeat to newly-promoted Leeds United, and Vardy even appeared on Arsenal’s shortlist after Kai Havertz’s potentially serious injury.
Signing a 38-year-old frontman to help spearhead a Premier League title charge would be a long shot to say the least for Arsenal, but finally completing the move he was touted to make back in 2016 could be a perfect swansong for Vardy.