Arsenal have triggered the release clause in Jamie Vardy’s contract and are ready to prise the England international from Leicester City in a deal worth about £20m (€25.5 million).

Arsène Wenger’s pursuit of Vardy represents a significant shift from Arsenal’s transfer policy in the past but the striker’s availability for a relatively modest fee, and the alternative option that he provides in attack with his searing pace, has fuelled the manager’s interest.

Leicester, however, have not given up hope of holding on to Vardy. He signed an improved three-and-a-half-year contract in February and is seen as a central part of their plans. Vardy has a close relationship with Leicester's Thai owners, as well as Claudio Ranieri, the manager, and there is a desire on their part to keep the title-winning team together.

It is possible that Leicester will now offer Vardy another new contract to try to persuade him to remain at the King Power Stadium. He scored 24 Premier League goals in a season when Leicester defied 5,000-1 odds to be crowned Premier League champions and it would be a huge blow for the club to lose him.

Vardy, however, is 29 years old, at a crucial juncture in his career, and his profile has never been higher. He broke into the professional game only in 2012, after nine years in non-league football, and could find it hard to turn down the chance to join Arsenal, even if they finished runners-up to Leicester last season.

(Guardian service)