Jamie Vardy is not anticipated to face Leicester City next month, with rumors of a move to Birmingham City dispelled.
After his brilliant City career concluded last season, there is considerable curiosity about where Vardy will head next.
Rangers, Manchester United, Wolves, and Wrexham are among the British teams mentioned as possible destinations for the forward, and Birmingham have now joined the list.
Following their record-breaking League One victory, Birmingham, led by former City assistant coach Chris Davies, are aiming for consecutive promotions.
But they won’t have Vardy spearheading the attack. The 38-year-old has already firmly suggested that he won’t be playing in the Championship as he seeks a top-tier club domestically or overseas, but BirminghamLive have rejected claims of interest at St Andrew’s.
With new acquisition Kyogo Furuhashi joining Jay Stansfield, Lyndon Dykes, and Alfie May as forward options, they don’t require a new striker.
This means Vardy won’t be returning to the King Power Stadium with Birmingham when City host the Blues in their fourth match of the new Championship season on Friday, August 29.
City, meanwhile, do require a substitute for Vardy. Patson Daka is now their only recognized senior striker, and his future is unclear with just one year left on his contract.
Jordan Ayew and Silko Thomas also featured up front in the friendly against OH Leuven on Saturday, for which Vardy was present. A new number nine is a top priority now that manager Marti Cifuentes is in charge.
For their previous Championship season, City had four recognized strikers in Vardy, Daka, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Tom Cannon.