Premiership: Vieira calls for contract talks

Arsenal are set to intensify contract talks with Patrick Vieira after the midfielder’s call for the club to resolve his future before the World Cup.

Vieira has again vowed to remain at Arsenal next season, predicting that the club are ready to ‘‘explode’’ in terms of success as they chase a domestic double.

However, amid interest from Real Madrid, the onus is now on the Highbury board to find the right package to keep Vieira, possibly by doubling his pay up to £60,000 (€98,000) a week.

Arsenal are also determined to ensure he does not attempt to see out the rest of his existing deal, which has another two years to run, and then leave for free as his agent has warned he could still do.

At least the messages coming out of France from Vieira himself are positive, with the midfielder having said: ‘‘I want my future to be fixed before the World Cup.’’