Vardy’s still a handful
IN FOR A BITE OF TOFFEES
JAMIE VARDY is back in the big time – and he has put Premier League defenders on red alert.
The veteran Leicester striker has agreed a new one-year contract with the club, confirming his 13th successive campaign with the East Midlands side.
Vardy (37), who joined in 2012 from Fleetwood Town, scored 18 goals in the Championship as the club immediately returned to the topflight. And he says it is not time to call it quits just yet.
He said: “I’m delighted to have got the numbers I did last season – but there’s still more to come.
“I look after myself. I’ve always said that age is just a number.
“My legs feel fine so that’s why I carry on, until they say: ‘That’s it, game over.’
Amassed
“There will be a day when that comes, but that’s not right now.”
The former England forward has amassed 136 goals in the topflight – and needs another nine to overhaul Robin van Persie who sits 14th in the alltime Premier League scorers list.
He sits third in Leicester’s all-time goalscorers’ list having collected 190 goals – and is the club’s fourth-highest appearance-maker with 464 outings to his name.
And it is a welcome piece of good news after boss Enzo Maresca’s defection to Chelsea confirmed.
Vardy added:
“Players and managers come and go in football, but the main thing is that the club is always there.
“We’ve got a good track record, so I’m sure the club will be doing everything they can to get the right manager in and then, come pre-season, we’ll just make sure we get down to work and learn whatever the new manager has got for us.”
Joining Vardy next year will be Jannik Vestergaard who also agreed a contract extension. The 31-yearold has agreed to stay until 2027.
FOUR new groups are interesting in trying to buy Everton after the collapse of 777 Partners’ takeover.
Owner Farhad Moshiri (right) is free to speak to other parties after 777’s period of exclusivity expired at the end of last month without the crisis-hit US firm taking control at Goodison Park.
Businessmen and Everton supporters Andy Bell and George Downing have emerged as rivals and they want to front a rival bid.
Bell is the founder and former chief executive of investment group AJ
Bell, while Downing set up a successful construction company of that name.
Desire
US businessman John Textor has spoken about his desire to buy into Everton, but he already owns 45 per cent of Crystal Palace and he must dispose of that stake before he proceeds with investing in the Blues.
It is understood another US group is interested in Everton and is exploring a possible takeover.
Everton desperately need their future resolving after being docked eight points last season for falling foul of the Premier League’s PSR regulations.
Any buyer willing to take over from Moshiri must have deep pockets and Everton have nearly £1billion (€1.18bn) in liabilities.
Moshiri is owed £450m (€530m) in shareholder loans, while 777 have pumped £200m (€235m) into the club since they announced their failed takeover in September to help fund their new stadium at BramleyMoore Dock.