Jamie Vardy sees shock transfer vetoed by Arsenal legend despite agreement

Genoa will not be completing a deal to sign Jamie Vardy on a free transfer following an intervention from the Serie A outfit's head coach, Patrick Vieira.

Vardy, 38, is a free agent after leaving Leicester City at the end of last month. The former England striker has been linked with a host of clubs since he announced he would be leaving the Foxes, both domestically and further afield in Europe.

The veteran frontman is understood to be determined to continue playing at an elite level amid claims he will not consider a Championship move despite interest from the likes of Wrexham and others.

A move to Italy's top division would fit the bill on that front; such a move no longer appears to be on the cards, though, despite the efforts of some of Genoa's top brass.

Tutto Mercato outline that Flavio Ricciardella, the club's sporting director, did the legwork on a deal which would have been financed by support from sponsors.

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But while Ricciardella was keen on the idea of bringing Vardy to Genoa, Vieira apparently 'vetoed' the deal as the former Leicester man would not suit his team's style of play.

While Vardy will not be heading to Italy, he will have no shortage of suitors over the coming weeks as he prepares to embark on his next challenge.

Rangers are the latest club to be linked with the penalty box predator, who scored 200 goals in 500 games for Leicester.

And a move to the Scottish giants, who will be vying for the title with Celtic this season, would certainly tick some of the boxes Vardy is looking for in his next club.

The new Rangers head coach, Russell Martin, was giving little away when he was quizzed about a potential swoop for Vardy. Speaking after a 2-2 draw against Club Brugge in a friendly game at Ibrox, he said: "I think like I've been asked about so many players. Some miles away, some on the money.

"I'm not going to give you an answer on that. But I guess you'll, you'll find out who is real and who's not in the next few weeks."

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