Gunners keep powder dry as Vieira appears Madrid-bound

PATRICK VIEIRA’S agent was locked in talks yesterday amid reports the Frenchman will be a Real Madrid player by the end of the week.

Reports from Spain claim Arsenal have admitted defeat in their battle to hold onto their captain and accepted a £22.1m bid.

Vieira’s representative, Steve Kutner, is believed to be putting the finishing touches to the deal but would not comment on the negotiations. Kutner said: “I cannot say anything more at the moment. I am in all-day meetings and do not know when they will finish.”

Vieira is expected to ignore Arsene Wenger’s transfer deadline by signing for the Spanish giants before the end of the week.

Wenger had told Vieira to make up his mind over his future before the start of the Premiership season this weekend.

Arsenal refused to comment again yesterday, however, leading media organisations in the Spanish capital are convinced that the Frenchman’s arrival at the Bernabeu is imminent. And the 28-year-old could be set to link up with Real when they return from last night’s Champions League qualifier away to Wisla Krakow in Poland.

Both of the city’s leading sports papers, Marca and Diario AS, believe the fee has been settled and Vieira will be installed before Saturday.

“It is €9m less than Arsenal wanted and €3m more than Madrid were willing to pay,” said Marca.

Meanwhile, Vieira, who is still feeling the thigh strain he suffered during Euro 2004, has been selected by France for their friendly with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Rennes next Wednesday.

Fellow Gunners Thierry Henry and Robert Pires are also struggling with injuries. However Pires is expected to shake off a calf strain and face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday in Arsenal’s Premiership opener to the new season, despite missing the Community Shield win over Manchester United.

However, Henry remains a major doubt and could be out for 10 days despite playing 45 minutes of the victory in Cardiff.

It is likely that Wenger would seek to withdraw all three players from the France game, although, of course, that scenario might be irrelevant in Vieira’s case.