Jamie Vardy is set to leave Italian side Cremonese this summer after the club’s relegation from Serie A, with an EFL club already keen to bring the Leicester City legend back to England.
The former England striker moved to Italy last year after bringing the curtain down on his iconic spell at Leicester, signing a one-year contract with Cremonese.
His deal included the option of a further 12 months if the club managed to preserve their top-flight status.
But Cremonese’s survival hopes were crushed on the final day of the campaign after they failed to beat Como, condemning them to relegation alongside Hellas Verona and Pisa.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Vardy will now depart the Italian club when his contract expires and become a free agent ahead of the new season.
The 39-year-old scored seven goals during his season in Serie A and has already been linked with several potential moves back in England.
Sheffield Wednesday are believed to be among the clubs interested in signing the veteran striker, with the Owls reportedly eager to strike a deal this summer.
Jamie Vardy is set to leave Italian side Cremonese this summer after the club’s relegation from Serie A, with an EFL club already keen to bring the Leicester City legend back to England
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Five things to know about Jamie Vardy | PA/GB NEWSA return would mark a full-circle moment for Vardy, who previously spent time in Wednesday’s academy before eventually rising through non-league football to become one of the Premier League’s greatest success stories.
Wednesday are set to play in League One next season, the same division Leicester will also compete in following their own relegation campaign.
There has also been speculation surrounding a possible emotional return to the King Power Stadium, though nothing concrete has yet emerged.
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Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring for Leicester against Sheffield Wednesday in 2024 | GETTYDespite approaching his 40th birthday in January, Vardy has repeatedly insisted retirement is not currently on his mind.
Speaking last year, the former Foxes captain made it clear he still feels capable of competing professionally.
“Football is a crazy world,” Vardy said.
“You never know what's going to happen.
“I'll keep going until my legs tell me I need to stop. My legs are fine.”
The striker echoed those comments in his recent Netflix documentary, admitting he still loves playing despite the physical demands of a career spanning more than two decades.
Jamie Vardy only left Leicester 12 months ago and scored seven goals during his time in Italy
| GETTY“Fortunately for these boys,” he joked while slapping his legs. "They’re still telling me they’re fine at the minute.”
Vardy also ruled out a future in management and admitted he has no long-term football plan mapped out beyond continuing to play.
“Do I see life after football? Management, no,” he explained. “I’ve never thought that far down the line."
“I’m very much a ‘get today out the way, go to sleep and see what tomorrow brings’ person.
“I’ve always been like that, which is annoying to some people I know.”
Vardy remains one of the most celebrated figures in Leicester history after helping guide the club to their extraordinary Premier League title triumph in 2016.