
Jamie Vardy ‘plotting shock Premier League transfer' as ex-England star, 38, confirms Leicester exit
Vardy, 38, confirmed that he would be leaving Leicester City after 13 years, with the Foxes relegated from the top flight with a whimper.
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The striker brandished the campaign a 's***show' before announcing he was leaving in an emotional farewell message.
The Foxes' fate was sealed when they failed to beat champions Liverpool at home.
His spell at the King Power Stadium included winning the Premier League title in 2015-16, to go along with his Player of the Season and place in the PFA Team of the Year.
He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2019-20 on 23 goals, one ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Vardy has scored seven goals in 32 games this term for Leicester.
He had previously been tipped to make 'the most obvious transfer of all time' to Wrexham.
He had previously been linked with a move to Major League Soccer, while former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes that should Vardy join Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the striker could fire the Welsh side into the Premier League.
Wrexham were promoted to the Championship last weekend after they beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 at the Racecourse Ground.
He has also been touted for a fairytale return to his boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday.
Vardy, who won 26 caps for England, scoring seven times, is reported to begin his hunt for a new club after the end of the league season.
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Wales Online
17 minutes ago
- Wales Online
WRU two-team plan splits fans, sparks anger but 'change must happen'
WRU two-team plan splits fans, sparks anger but 'change must happen' The WRU's plan to cut the number of professional teams in Wales from four to two has been met with a mixed reaction from fans Welsh rugby is set to cut to either three or two teams going forward (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd) Wales Online readers have been voicing their opinions on the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) proposal to reduce the professional game to two teams. Some believe that fewer, stronger teams are the only sustainable option; others caution against potential long-term harm to identity, crowds and pathways. The WRU has now formally unveiled its favoured plan to decrease the number of professional teams in Wales from four to two, taking significant control of the remaining sides in the process. Dave Reddin, WRU director of rugby and elite performance, is the main architect of what the WRU sees as the best structure for Welsh rugby. This includes a reduction to two teams, marking a major shift in the Welsh rugby landscape. The WRU has committed to honouring all existing player contracts for Welsh-qualified players until 20 May 2025. Each club will consist of a men's team and a women's team. Additionally, as exclusively revealed by WalesOnline last month, a new centre of excellence is being planned. One reader, Ambivalentwelshman writes: "I understand the argument for wanting 4 teams and/or by limiting to 2 teams, as people are concerned it will reduce player pool size. However, we must accept that in Wales (currently), we simply do not have the quantity or quality of players at professional level or below to sustain as is (coupled with poor player budgets for each team). By reducing the numbers you increase competition for places, which in turn will increase standards. Simples. The knock on effect will be that those players that can't make the top will drop down into the lower leagues and that increases the standard in those respective leagues and so on." Article continues below While Daimachno feels: "This proposal diminishes Welsh rugby. In the amateur era we had Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli developing world class stars and beating international teams. I know this is a different era but reducing the pool is not going to improve things. The only thing we know for certain is that Cardiff, who are bankrupt and 9 million in debt will continue. As a Newport boy now living in Swansea and an Osprey season ticket holder, who also sees the Dragons when possible, will I go and support Cardiff when Dragons and Ospreys are gone? What do you think? This will decimate Welsh rugby and destroy its supporters. We are not Italy or Scotland. We are Wales and can and should support more than 2 teams." PembsScarlet says: "The simple fact is that we now have to get together and support what is decided. The previous regimes have put us in this position, and we are now having some forward thinking. There are regional players that are stealing a living and they should be in the SRC. The 25 cap rule should also go to ensure we have the opportunity for our boys to play wherever. I'd be very happy that Bath, Bristol etc. Continue to develop our players. Build two strong teams and this will help Wales, and will ensure young players are inspired to play for Wales." Geronimo46 comments: "I would fight tooth and nail to keep four teams, but if it's genuinely impossible for this to work, the East and West teams have to finally be real regions and ground share from one home game to the next. On top of this Reddin has to be fully committed to the positive part of this plan, and create a state of the art player pathway and boost SRC so it's standard is raised to be a breeding ground for talent to take the step up. If this can be achieved, along with some victories for East and West, maybe younger fans will engage. As for a good deal of the older, like most of those on here, I'm guessing it may be the end of the road." Aberflyarf is all for it: "This decision might just save Welsh rugby, and it should have been made 23 years ago. Unfortunately, at that stage, the WRU were weak and sold out to a few affluent clubs who only had self interest in mind. This is a clear and appropriate path for future proofing the professional game in Wales. I'm sure the WRU is hoping that the existing clubs will merge. I hope they fight this decision so that two newly formed entities take the reins, with no affiliation to current clubs. This will also be a boost the the club game in Wales with greater emphasis given to the SRC league." BusterBloodvessel adds: "Disappointing it's not 3 brand new franchises aligned with historical Welsh Counties so as to generate fan interest. But either way the 25 cap rule has to go with this direction of travel to allow us to select Welsh players who will play outside of Wales. There will still be bigger money offers for our top talent and they will get top level coaching and competitions in England and France etc. We need to embrace that and not shoot ourselves in the foot. Like the Aussies who scrapped Giteau's law. We need to do the same." Wales to win believes: "Our game is in deep, deep trouble isn't it? Those of us who do not support Cardiff may not like the way their supporters are on here, knowing they are bomb proof from any chop, gloat, but the majority will concede we need a team based in the capital. For the rest of us there will be pain. Dragons are gone, without doubt. Then we have the West dilemma. Whatever happens to promote inclusively, the team will be renamed. I just do not see any interest from fans that will be disadvantaged by losing their 'home' side. We live in a small principality but our already disillusioned fans will become less engaged. Most of us are old enough to know rivalries make us tick. What we have done is hand over our decision-making in relation to the survival of our game to people who at the highest level do not understand the game. They are not Welsh. They do not know the first thing about us. Like I said we are in deep deep trouble. How on earth did we get to this position?" Llywelyn comments: "I think this is the only way it will work . Even at £7.8m we are hardly going to be flush. A development team on top would be nice to have - maybe a pan-Wales team that plays across various stadia, if its affordable - which it probably isn't. We have to scrap the 25 cap rule as well, and accept that part of player development needs to be done elsewhere. "The only viable locations are Cardiff and Swansea being our largest cities . Anywhere else would be stupid . The new entities need to divorce themselves from the existing regions, and be a completely WRU-owned set up. If it's done any other way then it will see lots of toys and prams! The idea of retaining 2 would create such enmity that it would hold us back." Rjanders says: "That's excellent news. Sense prevails after 25 years. With Cardiff in their situation that takes them out of the running for the east Wales team. Hopefully their dinosaur board will allow the east team to play at CAP. Stronger SRC with Merthyr and ponty in there to up the numbers." BlueBuoy agrees: "Absolute right move, two regions - one in Swansea and one in Cardiff. But this must be underpinned by a well funded Premiership with caveats attached so youngsters are given a chance over old-headed journeymen, anyone not in the squads and any academy players must play in the Premiership if not picked, it's no good having youngsters sat on the backside every weekend, they must be playing on a regular basis." RhysRees says: "The model isn't working and hasn't been for ages. 34 paid overseas players in the 4 squads draining the cash and offering nothing to the national team. Crowds were low and getting lower, even for Welsh derbies. Change has to happen. I'm backing it. Let's be positive. I hope too, it's East and West. Fresh start." Article continues below Jackieboy writes: "At last a difficult decision which had to be taken. The population of Wales cannot justify 4 top class regional sides .Unless we go back to those wonderful days of a number of first class clubs such as Pontypool providing a core of talented players worthy of international selection on a regular basis this very tough decision was needed." Are you for the new plans of two professional teams here in Wales, rather than the current four? Comment below or HERE to have your say.


Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Mikel Arteta can give Eberechi Eze dream start to life at Arsenal with one simple gesture
Arsenal look set to secure the services of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, after beating bitter rivals Tottenham to his signature, and boss Mikel Arteta has the perfect shirt number for the England star Arsenal have swooped in under the noses of arch rivals Tottenham to all but secure the signing of Eberechi Eze. And Mikel Arteta can give the Crystal Palace star his dream No.10 shirt at the Emirates. On Wednesday evening, the Gunners swiftly and seemingly successfully moved for former academy star and boyhood supporter Eze, agreeing to a deal in principle worth roughly £68million. Spurs chief Daniel Levy had thrashed out a deal worth £50m plus £10m in add-ons, while Arsenal will pay £60m and £7.5m in add-ons. Steve Parish's relationship with Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis moved the Gunners to the front of the queue over recent days and the England international chose Arsenal. Eze wants to play one last time for Palace in their Conference League play-off against Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad on Thursday night before undergoing a medical with Arteta's side, but Oliver Glasner may be forced to pull him from the squad to avoid risking injury. When he does arrive in north London, Arsenal can hand him the perfect welcome gift in the form of his preferred No.10 shirt. The 27-year-old attacker had long been courted by Thomas Frank's Tottenham, and a deal that would have seen Eze make this move looked likely. But an injury sustained by Arsenal's Kai Havertz, who now looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, saw the Gunners re-enter the race for Eze, who had previously been admired. Eze and Palace were quickly approached, Arsenal said they would now pay a fee that had been agreed almost two weeks previously, and personal terms weren't a problem. Now, it is highly likely that Eze will don the No.10 when he inevitably arrives at the Emirates, a number he has worn since his time at Queens Park Rangers. Eze first started wearing the No.10 during QPR's 2018/19 Championship season. He was first given the No. 25 after making a £17m move to Palace in 2020, but after just one year into his tenure, the No. 10 became his. Arsenal's No.10 shirt is vacant, having last been worn by another English talent, Emile Smith Rowe. Before him, Mesut Ozil was given the honour, and the likes of Robin van Persie and Dennis Bergkamp have also donned the famous number. Eze will join new recruits Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and striker Viktor Gyokeres in north London, as the Gunners set their sights on the Premier League title. Head coach Arteta thinks that this top-flight campaign will be the most difficult they've faced, however. They have played second fiddle in each of the last three terms. "The competition in the league now is like nothing we've seen before," Arteta told Sky Sports. "We all know that to win the Premier League you're going to have to be absolutely excellent. The level that is going to be required is going to be something we haven't experienced yet and we all want to win it. "The level of the managers, the consistency of the squads that have been together now for years, the way they increased their potential in the squads, the understanding between players, quality they have brought, for sure it's going to be the most difficult. "We need more points, that's clear," he continued, reflecting on the past three years of disappointment. "We have more points than any other team in the Premier League in the last three seasons and we haven't won the Premier League. "But that means we've done so many things right. We missed a few points in one of the seasons, and that's what we're going to try to do to be better." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Forgotten Man Utd clause that could force Sir Jim Ratcliffe to LEAVE Old Trafford
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe invested in the club 18 months ago but may not be the one to decide when he departs Old Trafford due to a clause in his deal Sir Jim Ratcliffe could find himself in a position where he needs to sell his stake in Manchester United and be able to do nothing about it. That is after a clause in the deal that saw him invest in the Red Devils became active little over a week ago. The INEOS chief paid £1.3billion for 25 per cent of United in February 2024 and has since set about overhauling the setup. Ratcliffe has overseen redundancies, a change in the club's sporting hierarchy and attempted to set a platform for success even as the team finished 15th in the Premier League. But as of August 13, a 'drag-along right' became active, per Mail+. And that means if the Glazers ever want to sell up at Old Trafford, that could see Ratcliffe join them with INEOS having little say in the matter. Such clauses exist to enable a company to be sold, by preventing circumstances where a minority shareholder can block a deal, when the majority want it to pass. In this instance, the clause came into effect 18 months after Ratcliffe made his investment and ensured that the Glazers are somewhat in control of the billionaire's stake too. It is something Ratcliffe is keenly aware of, and even appeared to allude to upon the announcement of his investment. "I don't think we're going to be taking the legal agreements out of the bottom drawer," he said. "I just hope they gather dust and we never see them. Which it should be. It should be on the basis of a relationship." For the moment, there appears to be little intention of cashing in on the club. The parties would seem to have a good relationship and there is said to be an acknowledgement from the majority owners that INEOS have carried out the dirty work in restructuring the club and taken some of the heat off of the Glazers, while also taking charge of footballing matters. For his part, Ratcliffe has spoken highly of his partners. In March he said: "To be fair to the Glazers, they're really good on the commercial side. "The people who advise me say the fans don't want to hear it. So I've got to be cautious. I get a lot of criticism if I support the Glazers, but the fact is they're really decent people. "They're East Coast, you know — that old East Coast America, they're very polite, they're very civilized, they're the nicest people on the planet. I mean, there isn't a bad bone in Joel Glazer's body." Instead he directed criticism at previous club chiefs, and said: "I wouldn't have tolerated Ed Woodward, or Richard Arnold." For now, it appears the most likely prospective buyer is not interested in taking advantage of the Glazer's clause coming into play. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani attempted to buy the club before Ratcliffe's bid for a stake was successful. Sheikh Jassim the 92 Foundation are said to have 'zero interest' in returning at the moment, despite being aware of the situation.