Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri admits he cannot convince Arsenal target Jamie Vardy to stay with the champions
CLAUDIO RANIERI accepts he is powerless to prevent Leicester striker Jamie Vardy leaving for Arsenal.
The Gunners bid the £20million needed to trigger Premier League champion Vardy's release clause earlier this month.
The 29-year-old requested more time to make a decision while he focuses on England's Euro 2016 campaign in France.
But his Foxes boss Ranieri accepts he will have very little say if the 24-goal striker chooses to move on.
He sighed: "We want to keep him, Arsenal have said they will pay the full release clause, but he hasn't accepted yet. He gets the last word."
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The 64-year-old Italian fears his title-winning Leicester team could be broken up as the Premier League big boys come in to snap up its stars.
French midfielder N'Golo Kante and PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez are also on the radar of Arsene Wenger's side.
The latter said ominously: “The season went very well. As you know, we have won the league which was very important. It is incredible. It was by far my best season in my career.
“It is flattering to hear [about links to other clubs], as I said nothing is agreed, nothing is done. For the moment I have not made a decision. We will see. It is possible that I stay, it is possible that I leave. We will see.”
But Ranieri has previously fired a warning to wantaway players who might think the grass is greener elsewhere.
He said: "I suggest to all my players to stay one year more. Don't go. If you go to another team, you might not get on the pitch."