Leicester City are reportedly in negotiations with Jamie Vardy over a new contract.
On Monday night, the Foxes were crowned winners of the Championship after recording a 3-0 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale.
Having secured an immediate return to the Premier League, Leicester's hierarchy can now begin to plan for 2024-25, even though matters are complicated somewhat.
The East Midlands outfit face the prospect of starting next season with a points deduction after being found to have breached the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules in 2022-23.
What consequences that Leicester may face have not been determined, yet it is natural to assume a points penalty will follow without a successful appeal courtesy of the recent goings-on with Everton and Nottingham Forest.
As such, Leicester have been under an EFL transfer embargo, preventing them from re-negotiating new contracts with their current players, but a return to the Premier League frees them up of that.
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What players are out of contract?
In recent weeks, Wilfred Ndidi is said to have attracted interest from Premier League clubs for the above reason, although it is unclear whether Leicester's promotion will make it realistic for the Nigeria international to stay.
Leicester must also decide how to handle the same situation with Vardy, who has been on a recent hot streak to help Enzo Maresca's side get over the line.
Club legend Vardy is now 37 years of age, yet he has now scored 20 goals in all competitions this season, despite 17 of his 36 appearances coming from the substitutes' bench.
According to the Daily Mail, Leicester and their longest-serving player have held discussions over a new contract.
The report suggests that a one-year deal is on the table, although the financial terms are yet to be agreed by either party.
Vardy is said to remain as Leicester's biggest-earner, something which may have to change given his age and the club's desire to reduce their outgoings.
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Is a renewal for Vardy worth it for player, club?
As the greatest player in Leicester's history, Vardy deserves to end his time at Leicester how he would like. If he wants to remain at the King Power Stadium, Leicester should probably oblige.
In 12 years at the club, Vardy has 190 goals and 66 assists from 463 appearances, but he did net just three times in Leicester's last Premier League campaign in 2022-23.
Leicester can benefit from Vardy's leadership in the top flight, though, at a time when Maresca may have to be creative in the transfer market to try to keep his side out of the bottom three.
Darren Plant
