Arsenal blow as Jamie Vardy release clause climbs 50 per cent - transfer expert

By London correspondent Tony Hughes

Jamie Vardy's release clause has risen by 50 per cent to £30million, according to a report by a transfer expert.

Arsenal are waiting for Vardy to decide on a transfer from Leicester after triggering the striker's £22million release clause at the start of June.

However, Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his own website that the full release clause is now £30million, nearly a £10million increase.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made his move at the start of June after learning that Vardy has a release clause in the £70,000-a-week contract he signed with Leicester in February.

The agreement is understood to state that the release clause had to be triggered by a Champions League club by a specific date, which is understood to be 3 June.

It is unclear as to whether the reported subsequent increase in Vardy's release clause would in any way effect how much Arsenal would have to pay for the player. It would be a shattering blow for the club if the striker's hesitation in moving to Emirates Stadium cost the Londoners such a huge sum.

The 29-year-old striker demonstrated his clinical qualities once again on Thursday as he scored the equaliser for England in their 2-1 win over Wales after coming off the bench at half-time.

It was Vardy's fourth England goal in five matches and continued his brilliant domestic form, with his 24 Premier League goals spearheading Leicester's Premier League title triumph.

Di Marzio, the son of an Italian football manager, is renowned as a superbly well-connected journalist who breaks global transfer stories for both Sky Italy and on his own website.

In other Arsenal transfer news, the club are ready to sell a 23-year-old attacker amid interest from two Premier League outfits.