Chelsea transfer news: Harry Redknapp urges Guus Hiddink's No 1 target Jamie Vardy to continue at Leicester City

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has urged Jamie Vardy to snub an opportunity to make a switch in the mid-season transfer window and continue at Leicester City. The Foxes are on top of the table as they prepare to face Liverpool (on Boxing Day) and Manchester City in the next two fixtures.

The 28-year-old has been in fine form for Claudio Ranieri's side, scoring 15 goals and managing three assists from 17 league appearances. His form has seen him attract interest from Chelsea as their new manager Guus Hiddink has made Vardy a priority transfer target in January, according to the Mirror.

The Leicester star is valued at around £30m ($44.6m) after his rise in the 2015/16 season and The Telegraph reports his employers are planning to hand him a new contract in order to fend off any interest from potential suitors. Redknapp believes Vardy is not worth £30m and has advised him to stay at the King Power Stadium to boost his chances of making it to the England squad for the Euro 2016.

"Jamie Vardy isn't worth £30m and, in any case, I'd tell him to stay at Leicester no matter who comes in for him next month," Redknapp told the Evening Standard.

"I am a big fan of his but I don't think anyone would pay that. It seems a fortune, to me. Someone might pay £18m for him but he's 28 so hasn't got a lot of resale value. I've said before, I'm not sure the top clubs think he's sexy enough and if you are Leicester, you would obviously want to keep him.

"They have got seriously rich owners and while they are top of the League, they have a clear case for convincing him to stay. They could easily make the Champions League. He should stay put, keep doing what he is doing, target a place in the England squad at Euro 2016 and look at his situation again in the summer."