Exclusive: David Prutton drops “punt” claim as Wolves eye Leicester City's Jamie Vardy | OneFootball

David Prutton believes Vardy still has plenty to offer a side like Wolves

Jamie Vardy has announced he will leave Leicester City at the end of this season following their relegation, and clubs are already circling.

Sky Sports reported that Vardy feels he can still operate for a Premier League side, which would appear to rule out early supporter shouts for a move to the likes of Wrexham or Sheffield Wednesday.

That may clear the way for an approach from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who Football Insider reports are weighing up an approach.

We asked Sky Sports pundit David Prutton whether Vardy is still capable of performing at the top level.

Vardy still capable of Premier League football

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton said: “Jamie Vardy is still keen to play in the Premier League, of course he is. He's been wonderful; a magnificent servant.

“I think he's broadly being discussed as Leicester City's greatest-ever player, which I would wholeheartedly agree with, not being too forensic with my knowledge of Leicester players of yesteryear.

“Whether you can get the minutes and the games out of him is slightly different. He’s in cracking shape, isn't he? Doesn't appear to be slowing down in all aspects of his game.

“And for someone, like a Wolves, who needs the silk as well as steel, that bit of fight about him, his knowledge and his nous of the top level. His ability to take responsibility and lead could be a huge part of that.

“Whether you get a player, though, that is going to come in and break the wage structure, I don't know.

“But I think for many, many clubs in England, for maybe a year’s or a season’s swansong, I think Jamie Vardy would be a pretty decent punt.”

Wages could be the sticking point for Wolves

There is no doubting the character or ability of Vardy: although he may have slowed slightly in recent years, you know what you’re getting with the 38-year-old.

The Midlands club could soon be losing key attacker Matheus Cunha to United, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, and Football Insider have reported full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is fielding plenty of interest of his own.

Having already battled near the bottom of the Premier League table for most of the season, losing two of their better players in Cunha and Ait-Nouri will make for a difficult season next term.

That is exactly the sort of issue a player with the experience of Vardy, and his ability to instigate a siege mentality, could come in and relieve.

But, as Prutton identifies, wages could easily become the issue.

Capology estimates that Vardy currently earns £140k a week at Leicester, compared to the £90k weekly wage thought to be paid out to Wolves’ top earners: Cunha, Goncalo Guedes and Pablo Sarabia.

That’s a significant gap to bridge, especially knowing that you’re unlikely, with his age, to get 90 minutes out of Vardy on a weekly basis.

But it doesn’t mean a deal can’t be done. If Vardy is adamant about staying in the Premier League, and Wolves are one of the only sides to offer him the chance, then he may well be open to compromise on his financial demands.