JAMIE VARDY and his wife Becky secretly flew to Bahrain this week as Saudi football clubs continue to clamour to sign him.
Insiders said Vardy, who is set to leave Leicester next summer, flew out to the country where fellow Brit Steven Gerrard lives.
The couple stayed at the Four Seasons hotel in the country, which is next door to Saudi Arabia.
A source said: “Jamie and Becky went to Bahrain this week to check it out.
“He is in demand from Saudi clubs and while he’s still playing the field he could see what it would be like to possibly live out there.
“Bahrain is an hour or so drive from some of Saudi’s big clubs and it’s an amazing country, with a culture very similar to that in Dubai. It’s super relaxed and very glamorous.
“While it was a holiday for them both, and involved a trip to Dubai too, it gave Jamie time to think about what he could do next after he leaves Leicester next summer.
“People who know them have joked about a deal in Saudi could easily pay off Becky’s Wagatha Christie bill.”
Vardy, who has been with Leicester since 2012, turned down a move to Saudi last summer when he still had a year left on his contract.
Clubs, including Khaleej, made a bid for Vardy but he rejected the deal because he didn’t think a move would suit his family.
Despite the rejection, it was reported that Saudi dealmakers were speaking with intermediaries working on Vardy’s behalf to try and negotiate an offer.
It is believed a deal struck with Vardy could net him £4million a year.
Clubs including Al-Shabab and Al-Qadsiah were reported to be pursuing Vardy.
Former Liverpool star Gerrard manages Al Ettifaq and lives between Saudi and Bahrain – which is favoured by Wags because of its more relaxed laws.
His wife Alex enrolled their three youngest children into an exclusive English language school in Bahrain and regularly posts pictures online of her in fancy restaurants.
Their home in Bahrain is just a one hour drive from Saudi, where Gerrard’s team are based.