West Ham United are stepping up their search for a new centre-forward before the transfer window closes, and one surprise name on the list is free agent Jamie Vardy.
The Hammers got their season off and running with a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup over the weekend, with centre-forward Taty Castellanos scoring a brace.
Despite Castellanos’ positive start to the campaign, Nuno Espirito Santo still wants a new striker signed at the London Stadium before the deadline.
AZ Alkmaar’s Troy Parrott has emerged as a top target over recent days, with West Ham making a £15m offer for the Irishman as they attempt to bring him back to English football.
Wilson Isidor has also featured on the Hammers’ shortlist, with the Irons also making a bid for the Haiti international as they search for a striker capable of firing them towards an immediate Premier League return.
Now, Vardy’s name can be added to that list.
Quality | What Jamie Vardy could offer West Ham |
|---|---|
Championship experience | Has won promotion from the division twice with Leicester and scored 18 goals during the 2023/24 title-winning campaign. |
Finishing | Remains a natural penalty-box goalscorer with seven Serie A goals last season. |
Movement | His ability to play on the shoulder and anticipate space behind defenders has remained one of his key qualities. |
Experience | Has won the Premier League and FA Cup and accumulated 500 appearances for Leicester. |
The 39-year-old is looking for his next club after leaving Italian side Cremonese this summer.
West Ham eyeing Jamie Vardy move
According to Sky Sports News, West Ham are interested in the situation surrounding the “legend”, who is currently available on a free transfer.
Despite his age, Vardy demonstrated last season that he remains capable of scoring at a high level, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in 29 Serie A appearances.
Vardy’s association with Leicester is inevitably dominated by the extraordinary 2015/16 Premier League title triumph, but his record in the second tier is also impressive.
His first taste of second tier football came in 2012/13 following his move from Fleetwood Town, whereas his latest came in a title-winning 2024/24 campaign. Overall, he has scored 38 goals in 98 Championship appearances, registering 16 assists.
Signing Vardy at 39 years of age would naturally be a short-term move, but there are several reasons it could make sense.
West Ham supporters will also be familiar with exactly what Vardy can do.
The veteran has scored four goals against the Hammers during his career, including finding the net after just two minutes in Leicester’s 3-1 Premier League victory at the King Power Stadium in December 2024.
The most memorable meeting between Vardy and West Ham came during Leicester’s title-winning campaign over 10 years ago. Vardy opened the scoring against the Hammers in a 2-2 draw but was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation.
He has caused them problems in front of goal, and his ultra-competitive style could be just what they need in a demanding Championship campaign, providing fierce completion to Castellanos and co.
