Vieira agent in 'all-day talks'

Patrick Vieira’s agent and Arsenal were today maintaining their steadfast silence over reports in Spain that the France midfielder is set to complete a £22.1m (€33m) transfer to Real Madrid.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger insisted last weekend that Vieira must make his mind up on his future by the time the Premiership kicks off on Saturday.

However, with Vieira having refused to comment all summer on the stories linking him with the Spanish giants, the only hint of a decision being imminent came today when the player’s agent, Steve Kutner, revealed he was in “all-day meetings” – possibly regarding the long-running transfer saga.

“I cannot say anything more at the moment,” said Kutner. “I am in all-day meetings and don’t know when they will finish.”

While those words may not exactly break the silence over Real’s controversial hunt for Vieira, they could be highly significant given that Kutner, a strong influence on the France international, has been the only real source of news on this latest bid by the Spanish giants.

Spanish newspapers are convinced Vieira is on his way to Madrid imminently but an Arsenal spokesman would only say today: “As usual, we have no comment on transfer speculation.”

Vieira, who is still feeling a thigh strain he picked up during Euro 2004, has been selected by France for their friendly with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Rennes next Wednesday. Fellow Gunners Thierry Henry and Robert Pires are also struggling with injuries.

However Pires should be fit following a calf strain to face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday in Arsenal’s Premiership opener to the new season despite missing the 3-1 Community Shield win over Manchester United last Sunday.

But Henry remains a major doubt and could be out for 10 days despite playing 45 minutes of the victory in Cardiff.

It is likely that Wenger would seek to withdraw all three players from the France game – although of course that might be irrelevant in Vieira’s case.

If the reports in Spain prove to be correct, the 28-year-old could link up with Real when they return from tonight’s Champions League qualifier away to Wisla Krakow in Poland.