Vieira drops tantalising contract hint

PATRICK VIEIRA says Arsenal will get the news they have waited so long for next week that he is signing a new contract.

The Highbury captain, who would be entitled to walk out for free at the end of the new campaign if he decides to just see out his current agreement, has revealed that the "money part" of a new deal has already been settled. And yet, tantalisingly, Vieira still refuses to say that the business is a formality.

He has been saying for months that he wants to stay at Arsenal despite the overtures of Real Madrid and, more recently, nouveau riche Chelsea. And he insisted yesterday: "I haven't changed my mind in the last few days. But I can only say I hope to sign.