England boss Roy Hodgson has warned Jamie Vardy he must now switch his full focus to Euro 2016 as the Leicester City striker weighs up a transfer to Arsenal.
Sources confirmed on Friday that Arsenal had triggered Vardy’s release clause and that the 29-year-old was due to have a medical on Sunday.
However, Leicester have made a counter offer in a bid to convince him to remain at the King Power Stadium, although a source close to Arsenal told ESPN FC on Monday that the London club remain confident over a deal.
The Daily Mail reports that both Hodgson and the FA wanted Vardy to make his decision before the squad flew out to France on Monday, and the England coach, who has barred players’ representatives from the team hotel, has expressed his frustration over the matter.
“We are not trying to block players’ futures or transfers but, as far as we are concerned, our ongoing theme is that England is England, your club is your club,” he said. “While you are with England, we want you to stay focused on us.
“Whether they [agents] come to the hotel or not is a moot point. They will be talking to the players face to face, on the phone or via Skype or Facebook — who the hell knows? — but one thing this group of players know and have accepted is that when you are on England duty, you are on England duty.
“It is not a question of you sorting out your future, or diving off for medicals. We control all of that and you have to accept there is a good chance that, if you say you want to go for a medical, that we will say: ‘We are not allowing that and you better bring your people here.'”
The Times reports that Hodgson is likely to allow Vardy to complete the transfer but wants the matter resolved before England’s opening game against Russia on Saturday.
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