Pires denies saying Vieira has signed for Real

PATRICK VIEIRA’S Arsenal future became shrouded in more uncertainty yesterday when Robert Pires denied revealing that his team-mate had decided to join Real Madrid.

Pires insisted he had no knowledge of Vieira's future plans and, in a statement issued through Arsenal, refuted earlier quotes attributed to him and reported by the author of his autobiography, Xavier Rivoire.

Pires said: "I have never said a word about Patrick's situation I have too much respect for him to give an opinion.

"How could I wish Patrick good luck in Madrid when I saw him at the training ground this morning?

"As far as I know Patrick hasn't signed for Real Madrid. I really hope, as do all my team-mates, that he stays at Arsenal."

Pires was quoted claiming that Vieira "has made a choice and we respect that. We can all understand why he's decided to go to La Liga".

The Gunners may still hold out for rather more than Real are prepared to offer while Vieira has yet to agree personal terms in Spain.

However, Wenger's ultimatum has been taken in Spain as an indication that the increasingly likely-looking move is close to completion.

However, Arsenal appear to have already begun the search for midfield reinforcements, with West Ham bracing themselves for an official bid for Michael Carrick.

Again the fee may prove to be the stumbling block with the Hammers believed to be unwilling to part with their star midfielder for less than £3.5million.

Wenger has admitted his interest in Carrick but has played down reports of a move for Portugal's Euro 2004 star Maniche.

"Have I looked at him? Not really, no. I was at the European Championships and I saw him play, but I knew about him before. You can ask Porto, I have never made an inquiry about Maniche," he said.

While many Arsenal fans would be loathe to lose Vieira, former Arsenal captain Tony Adams believes that now may be the right time to sell the 28-year-old midfielder.

"Patrick's only got a year or two left at the top level. Basic physiology will tell you that. I believe that one leg is three centimetres longer than the other. As a result, I don't think he'll be playing into his thirties, at the top level anyway.

"Arsene Wenger would be thinking 'okay, you can probably do another three years but what are we going to get for you then?'"