Arsenal Transfer News: Jamie Vardy Details Gunners Rejection, Latest Rumours

Leicester City star Jamie Vardy has revealed the tactical reasons behind his decision to snub Arsenal in favour of staying with the Foxes during the summer transfer window. 

The England international was a top transfer target for the Gunners throughout the summer, per the Daily Star's James Benson, but he opted to stay with Leicester after an unexpected title-winning season.

Vardy is now releasing an autobiography, which is being serialised by the Sun (h/t Benson), and the 29-year-old explained how Leicester's tendency to make frequent use of the counter-attack is a key reason why he stayed:

"

With people like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil creating chances, Arsenal felt they could benefit me as much as I could them.

But I also thought about the tactical aspect.

You look at Arsenal’s style of play and they don’t get the ball forward quickly in the same way Leicester do for those runs I like to make in behind the defence.

One thing that didn’t worry me was the idea that I wouldn’t be the ‘main man’ at Arsenal.

Every time I’ve moved, I’ve managed to meet the challenge in front of me.

"

He went on to say he was very happy with his decision, as the Foxes are building on the great results of last year, evidenced by their fine showing in the UEFA Champions League so far. After two matchdays, the Foxes lead Group G with maximum points. 

Per Benson, Arsenal tried to use Vardy's £20 million release clause to bring him to the Emirates Stadium, and when that didn't work, they settled for Spanish forward Lucas Perez. The former Deportivo La Coruna man has been worked into the team slowly but flashed his potential with a brace in the EFL Cup against Nottingham Forest.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

The Gunners have also been linked with Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. According to El Confidencial (h/t Daily Star's Colin Harvey), BVB turned down a £51.8 million offer that would have seen the Gabon international move to London in January, as Die Schwarzgelben want more than £86 million for their ace.

Vardy would have been a far cheaper option, as well as a player that has already proved his abilities in the Premier League. Per WhoScored.com, he bagged an impressive 24 goals in the competition last season and has already found the net twice in 2016-17.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

He was playing for minnows Fleetwood Town as late as 2012 and has enjoyed a rise through the ranks of English football most players can only dream of. In the process, he also became a cult hero.

ESPN FC's Alex Shaw shared another snippet of the autobiography, the kind of anecdote you won't often read from professional footballers:

His raw athleticism is his biggest advantage on the pitch, and Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has made good use of it, surrounding the forward with great passers who all have a tendency to play balls over the top of the defence whenever they can.

His speed hasn't gone unnoticed―even Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho recently told O Jogo (h/t Sport Witness' Lucas Sposito) Vardy is a fearsome weapon on the counter: “They’re a very dangerous team in counter-attacks, and Vardy is the best counter-attacking player in English football.”

Under manager Arsene Wenger, Arsenal prefer to keep the ball on the ground and create openings with crisp passing rather than pure speed. The Gunners can counter with the best of them, but there's little doubt Vardy's particular skill set shines even more at the King Power Stadium.

Aubameyang would be a fantastic alternative in January, but the BVB star will immediately become one of the most expensive transfers of all time, with more than a handful of clubs battling for his signature.