Arsenal trigger £20m release clause for England and Leicester City striker, Manchester United turn down interest

Arsenal are reportedly ready to hold talks over trying to land England international striker Jamie Vardy this summer, according to Sky Sources.

The Premier League side, who pipped North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to second spot in the English top-flight this term on the final day of the 2015/16 campaign, are interested in luring the Leicester City forward to the Emirates Stadium.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

The 29-year-old, who has eight international caps for the Three Lions and is included in England’s 23-man squad for EURO 2016 later this month, scored a sensational 24 goals and provided eight assists in 38 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes last season.

Vardy, who has a £20m release clause in his current Leicester contract, is wanted by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to help fire his side to their first league title since 2004.

The report also suggests that Premier League rivals Manchester United turned down the opportunity to register an interest in signing Vardy, with the Red Devils pursuing a deal for Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic instead.