Crystal Palace must add some depth to their squad to cope with the rigours of UEFA Europa League football.
Oliver Glasner will have eight more games to contend with next season – at least – after Crystal Palace qualified for the UEFA Europa League by winning the FA Cup, increasing the demand on the Austrian and his players.
Therefore, smart recruitment will be key, a task Crystal Palace must complete without the help of Dougie Freedman, who recently left his Director of Football role for Saudi Arabia, and a shrewd swoop for Jamie Vardy is now being considered.
Crystal Palace targeting Jamie Vardy as striker nears free agency
The Independent now state that Crystal Palace are considering an approach for the 38-year-old, who is set to become a free agent when his contract with Leicester City expires in June.
Glasner already has Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah in his striker department, but Vardy would add a wealth of experience to the squad, having made 500 appearances in total for the Foxes, including 19 in UEFA competitions and scoring 200 goals in total.
Every. Single. Jamie. Vardy. Goal.
🐐 | @premierleague
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 20, 2025
Despite turning 38 in January, the man born in Sheffield still enjoyed a decent season for Leicester City, scoring ten goals in 36 appearances, which speaks volumes given how poor the Foxes have been this season.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 17 |  TottenhamTottenham |
37 | 11 | 5 | 21 | 63 | 61 | 2 | 38 |
| 18 |  LeicesterLeicester |
37 | 6 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 78 | -45 | 25 |
| 19 |  IpswichIpswich |
37 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 35 | 79 | -44 | 22 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton |
37 | 2 | 6 | 29 | 25 | 84 | -59 | 12 |
Jamie Vardy came close to joining Crystal Palace instead of Leicester City in 2012
If Crystal Palace – who could make a stadium change after winning the FA Cup – manage to sign the man with 26 caps for England this summer, it would be a real full circle moment for the veteran striker.
Jamie Vardy makes it 🔟 Premier League goals for the season!
A really well-worked goal and the Foxes are flying! 🔥
📺 Watch on Sky Sports Premier League
📱 Follow #CRYLEI here: https://t.co/lNgTJlL0gX pic.twitter.com/uk405NpmLK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2019
As reported by the Guardian in January 2012, Crystal Palace were hoping to sign Vardy from Fleetwood Town for a sum of £700,000 – even willing to loan the forward back for the remainder of that 2011/12 campaign.
However, Leicester City ultimately won the race, spending £1m in May 2012 to make him the first non-league player to cost such a fee.
