Long before Jamie Vardy became a Premier League star and Leicester City legend, whispers were circulating in 2011 about a potential move north to Rangers.
At the time, Vardy was making waves with Fleetwood Town in the National League, showcasing the goal-scoring prowess that would soon take him to the Championship, and eventually Premier League glory.
Rangers, then a club facing their own financial challenges, were reportedly interested in the young striker.
Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist later confirmed that the club had sent scouts to track Vardy’s progress during his prolific 31-goal season. However, despite their efforts, Rangers lacked the funds to finalize the deal.
Just months after those initial murmurs, Vardy made a pivotal £1 million move to Leicester City in 2012, a step that would spark one of the most remarkable footballing careers in recent memory.
Now, more than a decade later, the 2011 Rangers link has resurfaced amid fresh speculation surrounding Vardy’s future. With the 38-year-old striker having left Leicester this summer following the club’s relegation, rumors suggest Rangers could be revisiting that old transfer interest.
Veteran journalist Ekrem Konur recently reported that Rangers are once again exploring the possibility of bringing Vardy to Ibrox and there’s genuine intrigue around the potential reunion that might have been had finances allowed back in 2011.
New Rangers head coach Russell Martin refused to deny rumours of interest in Vardy during his post-match press conference following his sides 2-2 pre-season friendly draw with Belgian side Club Brugge on Sunday adding further fuel to the fire.
While Rangers couldn’t land Vardy in 2011 due to financial constraints, the club’s current rebuilding phase, led by new Director of Football Kevin Thelwell, might offer the perfect stage for Vardy’s twilight career.
Drawing parallels to Jermaine Defoe’s successful spell at Ibrox after joining in his mid-30s, there’s reason to believe Vardy could thrive in Scotland, leading the line, mentoring younger players, and continuing to find the net.
Jamie Vardy’s near-move to Rangers in 2011 remains one of those “what-if” moments in football history. But with talks reigniting in 2025, the prospect of that long-ago rumour becoming reality is a captivating storyline for fans on both sides.