Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Jamie Vardy Rumours
Liverpool will battle Premier League rival Tottenham Hotspur for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy. Both clubs are keen on the free-scoring Foxes ace, according to ESPN FC.
The report, citing unnamed sources, suggests the Reds will join Spurs in monitoring Vardy's situation at Leicester. As for that situation, the player is said to have "three years to run on his current deal at the King Power Stadium after signing a new deal last summer."
Leicester will naturally be reluctant to let 28-year-old Vardy walk. After all, he's currently the most lethal striker in England's top flight.
He's hit 10 goals already, the latest coming in City's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, per BBC Sport's Mike Henson. In the process, Vardy joined a select band of goalscorers in Premier League history, as noted by Squawka:
The strike also moved Leicester level on points with Liverpool's hated rival, Manchester United, at the doorstep of the top four. It's form that owes everything to the way 28-year-old Vardy is ripping up defences in the early stages of this season.
His pace is a nightmare for any team. But Vardy is standing out because of the way he's refined his movement.
The newly minted England international has introduced real variety to his forward runs. Although he commonly starts through the middle for the Foxes, the one-time Fleetwood Town and non-league star often poses his biggest threat from wide areas.
He's converted from the wing into a feared striker. The transformation is an indicator of Vardy's impressive footballing intelligence.
His quickness, skill and flexibility would appeal to new Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. The German favours a fast-paced, high-intensity pressing game that relies on fleet-footed workhorses up top.
That's why Vardy is drawing interest from Liverpool, per ESPN: "There is far more to Vardy's game than just goals, however, and his energy and work ethic would fit right into Jurgen Klopp's style of pressing at Liverpool."
But the Reds' need isn't just about style. The Anfield club remains woefully short of quality strikers. Divock Origi is young and raw, while Daniel Sturridge has trouble avoiding injury.
Then there's misfit Mario Balotelli, who is on loan at Milan. Klopp is eager to talk with the troubled Italy international, according to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star. Yet he notes how Balotelli's current stay with Serie A side AC Milan can't be cut short. Of course, given Balotelli's struggles on Merseyside, that may not be such a bad thing.
Given their paucity of options up front, Klopp is certainly looking in the right area as he attempts to boost Liverpool's squad. Vardy can add the defence-stretching pace and scoring touch the Reds have lacked.
Based on current form, he has the ability to instantly improve a fairly static forward line that's left Liverpool short in too many games. But that same form is sure to drive the Leicester man's price sky high.
Given the player's age and relative inexperience at the top level, Klopp may be wary of investing too much in order to force the Foxes into a sale.
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