Manchester United pursuing 35-year-old Jamie Vardy to sign, after Marko Arnautovic episode

Jamie Vardy-Leicester City

Manchester United are reportedly considering a shock move for 35-year-old Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy as Erik ten Hag continues his search for attacking reinforcements.

The Red Devils who sit bottom of the Premier League with a goal difference of minus five after two defeats from their opening two fixtures are desperate to bring a striker this summer to help their goal-scoring woes. 

United’s only goal this season have come from an own-goal, pointing to a lack of firepower in their squad. And to remedy this, Erik ten Hag is looking to sign 35-year-old Vardy.

According to the Athletic via Sportsmail, the Old Trafford side have turned their attention to the Leicester man after dropping their interest in Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic following a backlash from fans. Ten Hag’s side had entered talks to sign the Bologna forward last week, but the move angered sections of the club’s fanbase, which has now led to the club opting against a swoop for the controversial Austrian.

In Vardy, United are targeting a player with Premier League experience, and who will relatively come cheap. The Englishman is into his 10th season at the King Power Stadium and it remains to be seen whether a move to Old Trafford would be of interest to him at this stage of his career.

The 2016 Premier League winner has resisted the interest from the top six clubs before when Arsenal approached Leicester for his services following the Foxes’ miraculous title win that year. But he opted to remain at Leicester despite hitting an age when gaining a big move will prove difficult.

Even at 35, he remains Leicester’s main striker and has started each of his side’s two league games this season. At Manchester United, he will probably play second-fiddle unless the club can successfully sell Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.  

Meanwhile, Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas is said to be a transfer target for Ten Hag’s side following an impressive two-year spell at the La Liga club. The striker scored 45 times in 89 appearances for Espanyol, spiking the interest of several European clubs, including Manchester United.