Arsenal link not putting Jamie Vardy off Euros

Leicester forward Vardy left for France on Monday still considering a proposed £20million move to Arsenal, with the Barclays Premier League champions reportedly set to make a new improved contract offer to keep him at the King Power Stadium.

The 29-year-old enjoyed a stand-out campaign for the Foxes, netting 24 league goals as 5,000-1 outsiders Leicester won the title.

He also cemented his place in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad and was  voted the Footballer of the Year by the English Football Writers’  Association.

The England manager has been firm in his insistence that club matters should not distract his players from  their duty with the national team as preparations continue in Chantilly ahead of the opening Group B game against  Russia in Marseille on  Saturday.

Liverpool forward Sturridge believes whatever may need to be decided by Vardy on domestic issues, it will have no impact on how the striker readies himself for the immediate challenges ahead in France over the coming weeks.

“That is what everyone is here to do: concentrate on England and not focus on the speculation outside of that,” Sturridge said in a pitch-side interview following yesterday’s training session  at the Stade de Bourgognes facility.

“It is about going there with the right mentality and the right frame of mind, and Jamie’s exactly that way. He is not worrying about anything other than England.”

There had been reports  Vardy – who in February signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Leicester – was set to make his decision before leaving with the rest of the England squad for France, with suggestions the apparent delay may now mean the  player is inclined to remain with Leicester rather than join the Gunners. Arsenal are said to be ready to offer around £120,000 per week on a three-year deal as they look to go one better than last season’s runners-up spot behind the Foxes while also staying ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, who will both have new  managers.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has already moved to bolster the squad with  the signing of Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka in a reported £35million transfer from German side Borussia Monchengladbach.