Madrid deny £22m Vieira transfer clinched

REAL MADRID'S director of sport Emilio Butragueno and Patrick Vieira's agent Steve Kutner both distanced themselves from any possibility that the France midfielder will make a £22 million switch to the Spanish giants.

Butragueno described reports that Real are close to signing Arsenal's 28-year-old skipper as "a bit excessive."

And Kutner insists that no agreement on any move away from north London has been made.Former Spain striker Butragueno claimed he was inaccurately quoted in reports which suggested Real had agreed personal terms with the France midfielder. He was quoted on Tuesday as saying: "He is an interesting player and very important for us and our club. It's a long process, but this week will be decisive."

However, he claimed less than 24 hours later that he had been misquoted, telling www.realmadrid.es: "The only thing I said to the English journalist was that he was an interesting player. At no moment did I confirm that he was one of our operations, to say that strikes me as a bit excessive. Butragueno continued: "I understand there is not much news and that this could be a very attractive story, but I want to make it clear that we were never in 'the operation Vieira' or anything like that."

Kutner also denied that Vieira, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and the club's vice-chairman David Dein met last night at their pre-season training camp in Graz to discuss the player's future. When asked why Vieira had not made clear what his plans might be, Kutner said: "That's because there has been no movement on this. I can tell you that nothing has been agreed."

Arsenal chiefs are growing increasingly frustrated that Vieira, whose £4 million-a-year contract is due to expire in 2008, has not publicly denounced claims he will leave Highbury. Vieira refused to talk to a Spanish reporter at the Gunners' team hotel in Bad Waltersdorf on Sunday.

He would only say: "I am sorry, I cannot speak. This is not the right moment. I cannot talk about Real Madrid. Leave me. Don't do this."

Arsenal refused to comment last night.