Jamie Vardy to Arsenal: ‘Gunners move would be massive for me – but I hope he stays at Leicester’, says lookalike

Seeing double: Lee Chapman (right) joins Jamie Vardy in Leicester's title celebrations
Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
James Benge8 June 2016

He is earning fame and fortune through his uncanny resemblance to Leicester’s title-winning hero. But how will Jamie Vardy’s lookalike fare if his doppelganger trades in the King Power Stadium for the Emirates?

Postman Lee Chapman shot to national fame last month after being dragged on to Leicester’s title party bus in full kit to join Vardy. He has since gone on to become a professional lookalike.

The real Vardy could now be set to swap Leicester for London, with Arsenal offering the 29-year-old a £120,000-a-week, three-year contract. It is now down to the England international to decide whether he joins Arsene Wenger, but he is not the only one who could profit from the deal.

“If Jamie moved to Arsenal it would be massive for my own personal brand and for my finances,” Chapman told Standard Sport. “It's London. You're going to get more recognition.

“We’ve already had plenty of interest from London. I’m sure if he performs at the Euros people from all over the world will want a piece of Vardy.”

But for Chapman and the thousands of fellow Leicester fans who cheered Vardy and company on to their title win the departure of their leading scorer could be a bitter pill to swallow.

Just a month ago Vardy said he could never leave Leicester’s “band of brothers” – now there are fears in the East Midlands he could lead an exodus of top talent including player of the year Riyad Mahrez.

“As a fan I’d be devastated if he left,” Chapman added. “You don’t see what he’s achieved happen very often in football, coming from non-league and pushing us all the way to the title.

“I thought he would stay regardless. His comments in recent weeks made me more sure. But I guess when you play for England doors open for you.

“The fans have a special link with Jamie, he’s the face of the club. The team’s the team but the kids love him most of all.”

Leicester fans’ torment looks set to grow over the coming weeks, with Vardy not expected to inform Arsenal of his decision until England’s Euro 2016 campaign is over.

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