Vieira going nowhere, says Dein

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein today stressed that Patrick Vieira is not for sale and insisted Manchester United have not approached the club about their French skipper.

Reports today claimed Alex Ferguson is interested in buying the midfielder, who is in the middle of talks over a new contract.

But Dein said: “There have not been any inquiries for Patrick Vieira from Manchester United, and even if there was to be an inquiry, he is not for sale.”

Arsenal remain confident that Vieira will sign a new deal and believe that if the 27-year-old should ever want a move, he would go abroad.

Vieira has one year left on his contract but the likelihood of Harry Kewell arriving at Highbury and Robert Pires’ decision to sign a new deal should encourage him to remain at Arsenal.

Ferguson did try to sign Vieira two years ago but was unable to persuade the French international to move or Arsenal to sell.

Speaking on a charity trip to Senegal last month, Vieira said he was happy as captain of Arsenal and would sign a new deal, though he was critical of Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood.