Rangers Weighing Up Bosman Move For This Premier League Legend: Ambitious From the Gers? | OneFootball

If a report from The Mail (as cited by the Mirror) is believed to be true, Rangers are eyeing a summer move for Jamie Vardy, who is available as a free agent upon the expiration of his Leicester City contract. But the Gers are not alone in the hunt, as the veteran striking ace is also drawing interest from Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League.

The 38-year-old former England international had a remarkable journey of conquering the Premier League and FA Cup silverware, having commenced his career as a non-league footballer. He was released by Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 16 and joined Stocksbridge Park Steels in the NPL Division One.

After impressing for Stocksbridge Park Steels, followed by FC Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town respectively, Leicester City splashed €1.24m to secure his services from the Fishermen. Vardy took little time to adapt to the English Championship and eventually set their Premier League promotion in motion within two years. Having scored 200 goals in 500 appearances over 13 years, the veteran ‘number 9’ is now open for one final challenge before hanging his boots.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 18: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal, which marks his 200th goal for Leicester City, during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at The King Power Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The consortium of investors, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, has set off a new dawn at Ibrox. After spending three years at Everton, Kevin Thelwell has been appointed as the Gers’ sporting director. The recruitment drive for the vacant managerial position is ‘progressing well‘; however, the English chief must also focus on reinforcements to kickstart a squad rebuild over the next couple of months.

Why Rangers Should Snap Up The Prolific ‘Number 9’

Rangers were highly reliant on Cyriel Dessers high up the pitch throughout the 2024-25 season. The Nigerian marksman fired 29 goals in 55 appearances across competitions. He briefly lost his starting spot to Hamza Igamane, but the 22-year-old Morocco international failed to replicate the poaching instinct despite netting 16 goals in his maiden campaign.

While the future of both the centre-forwards remains unclear, having drawn interest from top European leagues in the recent past, Vardy would be a quality addition regardless of his age. He enjoyed a ten-goal season and only missed three Premier League games, thus proving his fitness and intensity irrespective of Leicester’s relegation.

The Light Blues pulled off a similar deal for Jermain Defoe during Steven Gerrard’s regime. The veteran Three Lions star scored 32 times in 74 outings over three years, and Vardy, his successor in the England national team, could make a similar impact.

His style of play is tailor-made to attune to the aggression of Scottish football, and the opportunity to experience Champions League football could tempt him to ply his trade north of the border. His experience in Europe could play a key role in progressing through the qualifying rounds following last season’s setback against Dynamo Kyiv.