Chelsea considering surprise move for Leicester striker Jamie Vardy as Diego Costa exile continues
Antonio Conte's search to replace AWOL forward is reportedly set to take him to the Foxes as he plots move for England star
CHELSEA are reportedly considering a move for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy.
Antonio Conte is desperately trying to bolster his strikeforce before the end of this month's transfer window.
Although big-money buy Alvaro Morata is already off the mark, the Blues still need to replace outcast Diego Costa - and claim that person is Vardy.
The Premier League champions forked out £67million to Real Madrid for Morata.
But Conte wants another frontman to make up for the absence of last season's top scorer Costa.
Vardy, 30, fits the profile for the type of forward Chelsea are looking for.
Whether they can persuade the 2016 title winners to allow their talisman to leave remains to be seen.
Arsenal thought they had completed a deal to bring Vardy to the Emirates a year ago.
However, the striker rejected the chance to join Arsene Wenger's outfit and penned a new deal at the King Power Stadium.
Meanwhile, Vardy is not the only Leicester star Chelsea are interested in.
They are hoping to complete a deal for midfielder Danny Drinkwater within the next week.