Arsenal keep quiet on Vieira's future

Arsenal and Patrick Vieira’s agent were still refusing to comment yesterday as reports from Spain suggested the Gunners had accepted a bid from Real Madrid.

The Premiership champions are reported to have admitted defeat in their battle to hold onto their captain and reached agreement on a £22.1m (€33.1m) bid.

The 28-year-old could be set to link up with Real Madrid when they return from last night’s Champions League qualifier away to Wisla Krakow in Poland.

Both of Madrid’s leading sports papers, Marca and Diario AS, believe the fee has been settled and Vieira will be installed before Saturday.

“It is €9m less than Arsenal wanted and three million more than Madrid were willing to pay,” said Marca.

Vieira, who is still feeling the thigh strain he suffered during Euro 2004, has been selected by France for their friendly with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Rennes next Wednesday.