Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy revealed rejecting the transfer move to Arsenal during the 2016 summer window was an easy decision. The 29-year-old prefered to stay with the Premier League champions after the Gunners triggered a £20m transfer clause in his contract in June 2016.
Vardy attracted interest from the London club after he had an inspiring 2015-16 season, in which he won the Football Writer's Association Player of the Year award. He had a tough time at 2016 European Championship as he the negotiations with Arsene Wenger were underway during his international duty in France.
"In my professional life, it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but I haven't been a professional for that long. It was hard, but it was actually an easy decision to make," Vardy told The Guardian.
"I spoke to him a couple of times in the hotels we were in. Those meetings were either side of me making the decision: it was basically in every hotel we were staying in. It wasn't awkward, though. I took it as a nice compliment they wanted to buy me."
Vardy took pride in his team's success and said he wanted to remain a part of their growth. Leicester, who were 5000-1 outsiders at the start of the 2015-16 season, stunned top-flight teams to win the title. Despite receiving lucrative offers for its players after the successful season, they managed to retain their big names except midfielder N'Golo Kante, who made a move to Chelsea.
"We are a group of brothers and lots of the lads have signed long-term deals now, which the gaffer wanted. To only lose Kanté from a Premier League-winning team is not that bad, so hopefully it will carry on. That is something I want to be part of," the striker said.
The England striker, who has been named in newly-appointed manager Sam Allardyce's squad for the opening World Cup Qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday, said his side was ready to look beyond the Euro disappointment and focus on future.
"We have to make sure we get the win on Sunday and then take it into the rest of the qualifying campaign and reach the World Cup." Vardy was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
