Giroud claims Vardy wants to join Arsenal

The striker hopes to link up with the England star at the Emirates

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud claims Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy wants to join Arsenal, as speculation of a move to the Emirates increases.

It is understood that the 29-year-old, who helped Leicester City to a shock first ever top division title this season, is set to complete a £20 million switch to Arsenal on Monday. And Giroud says he’s been told that the striker wants to join the Gunners.

“I have been told that Jamie wants to join us and it’s very good news for us. I think we can be complimentary and that’s all I can say,” said Giroud.

Arsene Wenger is understood to have triggered the £20 million release clause in Vardy’s contract, which the former Fleetwood Town striker only signed four months ago. And the deal is understood to be financially profitable for the Leicester striker.

Vardy currently earns £80,000-a-week, which would be worth in excess of £100,00-a-week if he heads to the Emirates, and a four-year deal is also understood to be a part of the player’s demands.

Giroud has said he is happy to welcome the competition Vardy will provide to Arsenal, and hopes that the England international can guide the Gunners to the Premier League title this time around.

“He’s a fantastic player, so it’s good news for us.” admitted Giroud.

“As I said in the past I am happy with competition. We have always had fantastic strikers at Arsenal and I want the best for this club. Hopefully he is going to help us win this title.

“The boss wanted to sign at least one or two strikers, so I expected a top striker and I think it will benefit the club and hopefully he is going to score a lot of goals like he did at Leicester.”

Vardy’s 24 goals for Leicester helped them to finish 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, after Tottenham slipped off course in the final few games of the season.

England head to France on Monday, ahead of Euro 2016, and Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson will not be allowing players to undergo medicals during the tournament, giving Arsenal a very short window to complete a deal.

Reports have suggested that the Gunners are worried that if the deal doesn’t get completed ahead of England’s departure for France, that they could lose out on the player if he performs well and his value in the transfer market increases.