James McNicholas’ previous investigation in the players Arsenal *almost* signed was so popular, he’s now gone back and dug even deeper…



In the immediate aftermath of Arsenal’s failed bid to sign Jamie Vardy in 2016, the Leicester City striker somewhat implausibly claimed that he had “never” spoken directly with the London club.



Dick Law, who served as Arsenal’s transfer negotiator been 2009 and 2018, remembers the situation somewhat differently. “The deal with Leicester was done, the deal with the player was done”, Law tells The Athletic. “He came down to visit with his wife Rebekah, he sat on the couch in front of Arsene… and then he backed off.”



As soon as Vardy left Arsenal’s premises without a signature on the contract, alarm bells rang. An Arsenal car took Vardy back to Leicester. “On his way back to Leicester I get a call from the player saying he wants to think about...