Jamie Vardy wanted for sensational Premier League return after rejecting Wrexham on Deadline Day

Everton are planning a shock move for free agent Jamie Vardy after a disastrous Deadline Day, it has been claimed.

The Toffees failed in a late move for AS Monaco striker Florian Balogun in the closing hours of Deadline Day (September 1) after the 25-year-old had a change of heart.

David Moyes was keen to add a centre-forward to his squad after sanctioning Beto's £17million exit to Fiorentina, and even attempted a late loan bid for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee before they rejected their advances.

READ NEXT: Man Utd fans in total disbelief after seeing what Everton offered for Joshua Zirkzee

Everton want to sign free agent Jamie Vardy

An incredibly disappointing end to the transfer window, which included Iliman Ndiaye's £65million move to Manchester City, means Moyes has Thierno Barry as his only senior striker option.

Everton have been linked with a surprise move for ex-Manchester United forward Anthony Martial following his exit from Mexican side Monterrey in June, and he isn't the only player being targeted by the Merseyside club.

According to The Sun, Everton are considering a surprise move for veteran striker Jamie Vardy, who is a free agent after departing Serie A side Cremonese at the end of his contract.

Vardy, 39, is looking for the next and probably final club of his professional career as he turns 40 in January and feels he can still perform at the highest level.

The Englishman has been linked with a whole host of moves this summer, including a shock switch to Brazilian giants Sao Paulo, while Championship side Wrexham attempted a Deadline Day swoop for the veteran.

Vardy, indeed, rejected Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds' advances and is weighing up his options - including a host of offers from Serie A and MLS - now that the window has slammed shut.

READ NEXT: Jamie Vardy lined up for blockbuster move as four 'possible' offers remain on the table

What Jamie Vardy has said about possible retirement

Everton making a desperate move to sign Vardy is just another example of their poor planning during the transfer window.

Although the former England international has 145 goals in 342 Premier League appearances to his name, age is no longer on his side, and his decline over the past few years has been expected.

The Leicester City legend is no longer capable of producing at the highest level, as he demonstrated at the King Power Stadium years ago when he fired them to the Premier League title in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021.

But Vardy's self-belief is unrivalled and, having returned nine goals during his last top-flight campaign (2024/25), he will think he can add a touch of goalscoring class to Moyes' class.

And when discussing the possibility of retiring earlier this year, he explained how he believes his body will tell him when the time is right to hang up his boots.

“Physically and mentally football is a killer, it’s so hard of a grind on your body and on your mind, so I just want to completely forget about it. Of course I love it. If I didn’t still love it, I wouldn’t still be playing,” he told Untold UK.

“Fortunately for these boys [slaps both his legs], they’re still telling me they’re fine at the minute,” Vardy added. “Do I see life after football? Management, no. I’ve never thought that far down the line. I’m very much a ‘get today out of the way, go to sleep and see what tomorrow brings’ person. I’ve always been like that, which is annoying to some people I know.”