Jamie Vardy could make a sensational return to English football with West Ham reportedly considering a move for the veteran striker.
The 39-year-old is available on a free transfer following his departure from Italian side Cremonese and could now be handed another opportunity in the Championship.
West Ham are searching for additional attacking reinforcements as they plot an immediate return to the Premier League following last season’s relegation.
And according to Sky Sports, the Hammers are keeping tabs on Vardy’s situation during the closing weeks of the summer transfer window.
Nuno Espirito Santo remains eager to strengthen his forward options despite watching his side make a winning start to the new campaign.
West Ham beat Portsmouth in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Saturday, with Taty Castellanos scoring twice to underline his status as Nuno’s first-choice striker.
However, there remain question marks over the other attacking options available at the London Stadium.
Jamie Vardy could make a sensational return to English football with West Ham reportedly considering a move for the veteran striker
|
GETTY
Pablo is still waiting to score his first West Ham goal following his £21.8million arrival from Gil Vicente in January.
Niclas Fullkrug, meanwhile, has returned from his loan spell with AC Milan but has been left without a squad number in another indication that his future lies away from the club.
That has potentially opened the door for Vardy.
Five things to know about Jamie Vardy | PA/GB NEWS
The former England international is searching for his next challenge after leaving Cremonese following their relegation from Serie A.
Vardy scored seven times in 29 appearances last season but was unable to prevent the Italian club from dropping out of the top flight.
A move to West Ham would bring him back to English football and provide Nuno with one of the most experienced strikers available on the market.
Vardy established himself as a Premier League legend during an extraordinary 13-year spell with Leicester City.
He was instrumental in their remarkable title triumph in 2015-16 and went on to score 145 goals across 342 Premier League appearances.
His experience is not limited to the top flight either.
Jamie Vardy is currently a free agent
|
GETTY
Vardy has twice been part of teams that have secured promotion from the Championship, something which could make him particularly attractive to a West Ham side attempting to ensure their stay in the second tier lasts just one season.
Any deal would represent another eye-catching chapter in a career which has seen Vardy rise from non-League football to become a Premier League champion and England international.
West Ham have so far been relatively quiet in the summer market.
Defender Joel Veltman became their first new arrival last week, but attention is now turning towards strengthening Nuno’s attacking department before the window closes.
Their Championship promotion challenge begins in earnest when they travel to Burnley on Sunday.
Whether Vardy will eventually become part of that push remains to be seen.
