Jamie Vardy to Arsenal: £20m move for Leicester City striker leaves Paul Merson 'flabbergasted'
The striker is considering his options while on duty with England in Chantilly ahead of Euro 2016
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Your support makes all the difference.Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson says he is “flabbergasted” by the club’s decision to meet the £20m release clause in Jamie Vardy’s contract with Leicester City.
The 29-year-old striker is considering his options while on duty with the England squad in Chantilly ahead of the European Championship and remains unlikely to make a decision on his immediate future until after the tournament.
Arsenal have offered Vardy an initial three-year contract on £120,000-a-week after the former Fleetwood forward fired Leicester to the Premier league title last season, scoring 24 goals in a system designed around him by manager Claudio Ranieri.
The champions remain quietly confident they will be able to persuade Vardy to agree fresh terms after countering Arsenal’s offer with a lucrative financial package of their own, believed to be worth £100,000-a-week.
But Merson, who made 289 appearances for the Gunners across a 12-year stay in north London, admits he was surprised by Arsène Wenger’s decision to move for Vardy, questioning his suitability for a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
The 48-year-old pundit told talkSPORT: “I'm shocked. I'm absolutely flabbergasted with it. Arsenal don't get the ball forward quick enough for Jamie Vardy. No disrespect, but he plays at Leicester where everyone goes and has a go at them.
“20 of his goals must have been over the top, balls that he is running on to, beat the goalie and great finish. You play for Arsenal, you kick off and the other team sit ten men behind the ball. Leicester suits Vardy, in my opinion. He is perfect for them.
“They play his way, they get the ball forward very quickly and he will keep on causing havoc. If he goes to Arsenal, I just don't see it. That is no disrespect to him. I'm not saying he won't get goals but I don't think he will get enough opportunities [at Arsenal].”
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