Shock Vardy to Real rumour has precedent with three Premier League signings
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Reports coming from Spain are suggesting that Real Madrid are currently interested in signing Jamie Vardy during the January transfer window.
The Leicester striker is the Premier League top scorer with ten goals in as many games, but, despite this form, a move to the Spanish giants would be a massive shock.
Indeed, a 28-year-old former Fleetwood Town, Halifax Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels player hardly fits the bill as a Galactico.
However, despite all the doubts, there is a history of Los Merengues swooping for players in the English top tier.
Here are some previous Real transfers that are as, if not more, surprising than the potential Vardy move:
Julien Faubert
After two seasons at West Ham United that were dominated by injuries, Real Madrid opted to bring in the French defender on loan.
His two appearances for Los Blancos failed to win the hearts and minds of the fans, and he was promptly sent back to Upton Park.
He constantly missed training thinking he had the day off and is most remembered at the Bernabeu for falling asleep on the bench.
Thomas Gravesen
The Danish midfielder became a bit of a cult figure at Everton during his five years there, making 141 appearances and scoring 11 times.
However, it came as a shock to everyone when Real spent £2.5 to lure him to La Liga in January 2005, going on to largely be a backup player for the club.
His aggresive style didn’t sit well with supporters in the Bernabeu, and, following a training ground bust up with Robinho, was sold to Celtic after just over a year at the club.
Jonathan Woodgate
Real made the decision to sign the injured defender from Newcastle United for £13.4million in August 2004, with Los Blancos having to wait over a year to see their signing play.
Going on to have what is generally considered the worst debut of all time, scoring an own goal before being sent off, signalled the beginning of the end for Woodgate.
He moved to Middlesborough less than a year after his first game, and in 2007 he was voted the worst La Liga signing of the 21st century.
