Arsenal still in the picture for Baptista

JULIO BAPTISTA’S ‘will he, won’t he’ transfer saga with Arsenal continued yesterday with the Brazilian giving fresh hope to the Gunners by rounding angrily on Sevilla fans who booed him in a friendly.

The 23-year-old has yet to make up his mind on his future - Arsene Wenger believes it is 50-50 whether he chooses Arsenal - but it looks certain he will not be staying at Sevilla.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein is monitoring the situation but will move for another target should the Brazilian opt to stay in Spain - Barcelona are also courting him.

Baptista was clearly riled after he was booed and whistled at by a section of the 2,000 crowd as Sevilla beat local side Pilas 5-1 in a game in which he scored two of his side’s goals.

He said afterwards: “Those who are whistling me now don’t even know why they are doing so. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, I’ve already done that in the league for the past two seasons.

“There are various clubs interested in me, but the last word is mine and that is what matters. I and my agents will make the decision.”

There have been suggestions that Baptista will get dual nationality if he stays a third year in Spain but he believes the papers will arrive in August. That would allow him to get the dual nationality and move elsewhere in the EU.

Meanwhile, Wenger has stated his intention to keep Robert Pires at Highbury despite the French midfielder wanting an improved contract - especially with Patrick Vieira having moved to Juventus.

Wenger said: “We have an agreement with Robert and at the moment it is quite stable. We have no interest in him from anybody and we want him to stay.

“I can understand that he wants an improved contract, but it has nothing to do with Patrick leaving. Robert has always been very important to us but he does not play in the same position as Patrick - although he can.

Wenger also confirmed his interest in 16-year-old Monaco defender Armand Traore. “That is a true story. It is not over yet but we do have an interest in him,” he said.

Meanwhile Ian Wright has revealed he urged his former club Arsenal to sign his adopted son Shaun Wright-Phillips when the £21million star was still a youngster.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a known admirer of the player but conceded his club could not compete financially with Chelsea in the race to sign the 23-year-old England winger.

The former England striker said: “I did recommend him when he was younger but it didn’t work out.”

Wright-Phillips was released by Nottingham Forest before his talent blossomed at Man City.

Talking about the attention lavished on Wright-Phillips following his big-money move, Wright senior added: “Just to see everybody making such a fuss around him, I can’t even explain how proud I felt.”