Jamie Vardy is 39, just finished a season in Serie A, and still has clubs queuing up. That alone tells you something about the man.
Released by Cremonese after scoring seven Serie A goals, Vardy has confirmed he isn't retiring — and the offers are real. Brazilian giants, American clubs, two Championship sides and a Scottish Premiership heavyweight are all in the picture. Here's how each option actually stacks up.
The overseas options: Brazil and MLS
The most eye-catching approach has come from Sao Paulo, one of South America's biggest clubs. They're six games without a win and want Vardy in their attack. He'd line up alongside Lucas Moura and Cedric Soares — hardly a step down in profile. Whether a 39-year-old striker is the answer to a Brazilian club's form crisis is a different question entirely, but the interest is genuine.
MLS is the more grounded option. Sky Sports report at least one American club is keen, and Vardy already has roots there — he co-owns Rochester New York FC. No language barrier, a familiar culture, and a league that's already home to a wave of outgoing Premier League names. If his family is the deciding factor, this is where you'd put your money.
The homecoming calls: Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham
Sheffield Wednesday is the emotional one. Vardy grew up supporting the Owls, came through their academy, and new owner David Storch has made no secret of wanting him back at Hillsborough. Storch told talkSPORT directly: "Jamie is somebody that we would like to have in our club. Let's just say he'd be somebody that we would be thrilled to have."
The catch? Wednesday have financial restrictions. Storch admitted they're "trying to figure out how to get around" them. That's not a ringing endorsement of the club's ability to actually get this done.
West Ham are a more realistic domestic proposition. Nuno Espirito Santo's side are pushing for an immediate Premier League return, and Vardy knows the Championship intimately — he scored 18 goals as Leicester tore through it in 2024. Taking pressure off Jarrod Bowen isn't a bad use of an experienced striker who's done it at this level before.
The wildcard: Rangers
Rangers were linked with Vardy a year ago and nothing materialized. The situation there has shifted though. New manager Derek McInnes has just lost Youssef Chermiti to an ACL injury — almost certainly gone for the season — and a poor start to the campaign is putting pressure on the board to act before deadline day. A free agent with Vardy's profile suddenly becomes very relevant in that context.
- Sao Paulo — high-profile, but a big lifestyle shift and a struggling team looking for a quick fix
- MLS — the logical choice for longevity, with existing ties to the US market
- West Ham — Championship pedigree, a clear role, and a club with genuine promotion ambitions
- Sheffield Wednesday — the fairytale, but the finances may make it just that
- Rangers — a genuine squad need, free agent status, and deadline pressure all align
One club not on this list: Leicester City. Vardy confirmed on his own podcast that a return to the King Power isn't happening. At least that part is settled.
