Leicester City’s £15m bid for Jamie Vardy replacement rejected

If Leicester City really are in the market for Jamie Vardy‘s new backup or potential replacement, they’ve gotten off to a bit of a rocky start.

According to ESPN FC, Watford have rejected a £15 million bid from Leicester City for star striker and club captain Troy Deeney. Per the source, Deeney is happy at Vicarage Road and satisfied with his current five-year deal with the Hornets.

Deeney finished tied for ninth in the Premier League in scoring with 13 goals – two behind teammate Odion Ighalo. In six seasons with Watford, Deeney has 90 goals in 243 league appearances.

Vardy has previously been linked with a £20 million transfer move to Arsenal, but the Foxes have reportedly been in pursuit of Deeney regardless of Vardy’s eventual decision. Vardy is not expected to make a final decision until after Euro 2016.

ESPN also reported that Leicester City tried and failed with a bid for Deeney two years ago.