Harry Maguire responds after Jamie Vardy agrees last-gasp transfer
Jamie Vardy's post-Leicester City future has finally been resolved after he emerged as a surprise target for Manchester United.
Leicester released Vardy at the end of his contract last season after the 38-year-old netted his 200th goal in his 500th game for the Foxes, bringing the curtain down on his historic spell of exactly 13 years.
Vardy announced that he would leave the King Power Stadium back on 24 April and has spent over three months as a free agent after the conclusion of the Premier League season, with numerous clubs linked.
Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers both spent time as front-runners to sign Vardy this summer, and even Manchester United were urged to launch a bid for the veteran during his continued spell as a free agent.
Jamie Vardy confirms left-field Cremonese move
For all that Vardy is coming towards the end of a storied career which saw him score 145 Premier League goals, his nine in an underpowered Leicester side last season resulted in plenty of suitors this summer.
However, Man United, Rangers and Celtic were all left to rue their failed attempts after newly-promoted Serie A side Cremonese emerged as front-runners to sign Vardy, and completed a deal on 31 August.
Vardy posted on Instagram after his surprise move as he prepares to play club football outside England for the first time, and said: "Excited for this new journey in Italy – I can’t wait to get going with US Cremonese. New league, new challenge".
Man United defender Harry Maguire responded after Cremonese quashed the chances of a link-up with his former Leicester team-mate, and said; "All the best mate", to Vardy.
Man United secure late exits after passing on Jamie Vardy
Football Insider Verdict
Vardy's links to Man United came amid their continued struggles to sell Rasmus Hojlund, with the Dane misfiring in Ruben Amorim's side last term and being deemed surplus to requirements this summer.
Hojlund's hold on the number nine shirt took a hit after Man United signed £74million RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who is yet to show that he'll provide better value for money than Vardy would have.
United did manage to move Hojlund on before the deadline in a loan-to-buy move to defending Scudetto champions Napoli, giving both him and Vardy the chance to show Amorim what he's missing in Serie A.