Vardy, 39 could be offered return to English football after £15m bid rejected

West Ham are considering making a move for veteran frontman Jamie Vardy if they are unsuccessful with their pursuit of Troy Parrott.

The former Leicester City forward wants to remain playing and is a free agent after his contract with Italian side Cremonese expired. It was his first spell playing outside of England and the Hammers could present the 39-year-old with the chance to return.

Currently West Ham, who are gearing up for a first year in the Championship for more than a decade, have their sights on Parrott, formerly of Tottenham. The Irishman is now playing for AZ Alkmaar, where he has scored 51 goals in his two seasons.

The Times reports that they've had a bid of £15million rejected and, if the Dutch side hold firm and refuse to sell their striker, then it could open the door for Vardy to make a move to the London Stadium. Another player on their shortlist was Wilson Isidor, but Sunderland have insisted he is not leaving.

Vardy spent the bulk of his career with the Foxes and was on their books when they won promotion from the Championship in 2014, he scored 16 times that year. Within two years he was a Premier League winner and proved himself to be a prolific marksman in the top flight.

Vardy scored 145 times in the top flight, putting him 14th on the all-time list, whilst he also won the Golden Boot in 2020. The former Fleetwood striker would win another Championship title with Leicester in 2022, scoring 20 times, and his experience could prove an asset for the Hammers as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

The Hammers have just announced the signing of Manor Solomon, who penned a three-year deal after finalising a £7m switch from Tottenham. The winger was on loan at Leeds when they won promotion from the Championship in 2025.

West Ham are heavy favourites to win the Championship. They've managed to retain England international Jarrod Bowen whilst Nuno Espirito Santo has chosen to remain as manager. He won the second tier with Wolves back in 2017.

The Hammers began their season by beating Portsmouth in the first round of the Carabao Cup at the weekend. They will play fellow relegated side Burnley on Sunday at Turf Moor as they kick off their Championship campaign with one of their more challenging fixtures.

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