England coach Roy Hodgson has implored Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy to remain focused on the national team rather than become distracted by talk of a transfer to Arsenal.

Reports have confirmed Arsenal met the buy-out clause of the Football Writers’ Player of the Year, with a sum around £20-million on the table in exchange for his signature.

Hodgson, meanwhile, is eager for the 29-year-old to make the decision before the Three Lions travel to France for Euro 2016. The coach, who has barred players’ representatives from the team’s hotel, wants focus from his players.

‘We are not trying to block players’ futures or transfers but, as far as we are concerned, our ongoing theme is that England is England, your club is your club,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘While you are with England, we want you to stay focused on us. They (agents) will be talking to the players face to face, on the phone or via Skype or Facebook – who the hell knows? – but one thing this group of players know and have accepted is that when you are on England duty, you are on England duty,’ Hodgson concluded.