more news on Vieira

[Lance Knight]

Quote:Wenger: Real can't gaurantee medals


Arsene Wenger warned Patrick Vieira that he is more likely to win medals with Arsenal than Real Madrid as he made a last-ditch plea for his captain to complete his mission at Highbury.

Wenger remains adamant that Vieira will be staying put despite the moves being made by Real to lure him to La Liga.

The two clubs seem to be locked in a battle of wills over any price-tag, while Vieira himself has yet to agree personal terms at the Bernabeu, thereby fuelling Wenger's confidence.

The French midfielder was at Highbury today, although he will still be absent from the Community Shield this weekend due to a thigh injury which could take a further two weeks to clear up.

Real nevertheless have a further three weeks to sign Vieira before the transfer window closes, with the financial ability to increase their initial offer.

No wonder Wenger was trying to fight Arsenal's corner today, while stressing that the board did not need to sell one of their biggest assets.

When asked if the Gunners have as much chance of winning trophies as nine-time European champions Real, he defiantly insisted: 'Yes, if not more so.

'History may not show that, but recent history is in Arsenal's favour.

'In the past three years, we have won two championships and two FA Cups. Last season, Real Madrid finished fourth in the league.

'They waited for 32 years to win the European Cup [between 1966 and 1998] and they might have to wait another 30 years to win it again. Nobody knows.

'It's not because you add names to names that you can just appear on the pitch and win. There is something more about it.'

No-one could blame Wenger for at least trying to talk up Vieira's chances of success at Highbury, although they have failed to make it past the Champions League quarter-finals.

Moving tack, Wenger then turned to the special team bond, especially along with his compatriots Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, which Wenger is hoping can still persuade Vieira to stay put.

Vieira has been at the club for eight years and the Arsenal boss is hoping his captain will complete the task of turning the Gunners into the finished European article.

'He has been part of something special at this club - not only in winning titles and FA Cups, but in the way that we play. He is a big part of the values at this club,' he argued.

'He has helped build a big part of the history of this team and I want him to go to the end of what he can create. To build a big club takes 10 years and I want him to finish what he has started.'

Vieira has nevertheless failed to issue any reassurance to the Arsenal fans, adding substance to reports that he is tempted by a fresh challenge in Spain.

Wenger will not reveal the content of recent talks with his captain but has maintained his positive stance on whether he can be persuaded to stay.

'Some people said he should have gone four weeks ago, but he is still here and I think he will be next week, the week after and the week after that. That's the end of the transfer window,' he said.

'I think he will stay. I have a close relationship with Patrick and I don't come out with what we talk about, but that's my personal opinion.

'Patrick has a contract here until 2007. I have other players with not as long on their contracts who are much more of a worry for me than he is.'

While that could indicate a measure of concern over Sol Campbell's contract, retaining Vieira is the immediate goal for Wenger.

'The player is not unhappy here. He has shown that for eight years. History shows that players are not always happier somewhere else than here,' he added.

[Lance Knight]

Quote:
Perez: Vieira talks have collapsed


Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has claimed talks with Arsenal over the transfer of Patrick Vieira have broken down.

Reports on Wednesday suggested that the two clubs had agreed a £23.1million deal for the France international but neither party had commented since.

Now Perez has confirmed that Real have submitted a bid but will not be upping their initial offer.

'We have made our offer to Arsenal and that is as far as it goes,' Perez is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

'We will not be raising it as they want so for the moment talks have broken down.'

Vieira has been the subject of speculation linking him with the Spanish giants for most of the summer.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger stated last weekend that believed the 28-year-old would stay with the Premiership champions but the player has given no indication of his intentions.

Wenger signed Vieira for £3.5million from AC Milan eight years ago. He has since matured into one of the best midfielders in the world and captained the London club as they went through the last Premiership season unbeaten.

His departure would leave a big hole in the Highbury squad and Perez's comments confirm the Gunners' reluctance to let him leave without sizeable compensation.

[Lance Knight]

Arsenal stand firm on Vieira deal
Arsene Wenger insists that Arsenal's board will stand firm in the face of Real Madrid's moves to buy Patrick Vieira - as there is no financial need to sell the midfielder.

Wenger accepts he may not be able to prevent Vieira leaving if the Frenchman decides it is now time for him to seek a fresh challenge in Spain.

He admitted that 'Patrick's been here for eight good years so maybe he thinks it's time to move on'.

However, despite apparent evidence of Vieira being tempted by Real, Wenger still remains confident he can persuade his captain to stay.

Not only did he warn him he stands more chance of winning trophies with Arsenal than Real, but the Arsenal manager also tried to tempt Vieira with the challenge of completing his mission of turning the Gunners into European champions.

Wenger added: 'I think he will stay. I have a close relationship with Patrick as I don't come out with what we talk about, but that's my personal opinion.

'Patrick has a contract here until 2007 and he is not unhappy here. He has shown that for eight years. History shows that players are not always happier somewhere else than here.'

Moreover, Wenger made it clear to Real that Arsenal would, at the very least, not be forced into selling Vieira on the cheap.

While Real have made an initial offer of about £18million for the 28-year-old midfielder, Arsenal would value him at closer to £30million if they had to sell.

Although the club are building a new stadium, the Arsenal boss evidently wants the Spanish side to know they are under no pressures to cash in on one of their biggest assets.

'We would not sell for financial reasons - never. We are not swimming in money but we don't have to sell because we need the money,' he declared.

'The board are strong enough to say that we won't sell if we don't want to.'

Wenger even had enough cash last January to invest in Jose Reyes, who could cost up to £18million if he is a success at Highbury.

'For me, his life at Arsenal starts now,' observed the Arsenal boss. 'Now he has built up his strength and it really starts for him.'

Reyes is expected to start tomorrow's Community Shield clash against Manchester United, although Vieira will be absent with a thigh injury that could sideline him for another two weeks.

Sol Campbell, meanwhile, is set to be missing for up to six more weeks with an Achilles problem, although Thierry Henry could be a substitute in Cardiff after recovering from a similar injury.

Fredrik Ljungberg has a slight rib problem, while Ashley Cole is confident of recovering from a stiff calf muscle.

Wenger's greatest headache is in central midfield, with Edu being rested after Copa America duty, Mathieu Flamini not yet having received international clearance and Ray Parlour having been sold.

Jens Lehmann will, meanwhile, start in goal, although he has also been warned that new signing Manuel Almunia will challenge for his jersey.

'I didn't think that I could rely medically on Stuart Taylor and he will compete strongly with Jens as he has made a big impact already,' concluded Wenger.

[Lance Knight]

Wenger fury over Real dirty trick

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed his anger at the tactics used by Real Madrid in their bid to lure Patrick Vieira to Spain this summer.

And he accused the Spanish club of having a confused transfer policy, citing their move for David Beckham last year as he observed how they can seemingly rush into deals for commercial reasons.

While Wenger does not believe Real will increase their initial offer for Vieira, what has frustrated him more than anything is that his captain's future is still uncertain with the new season just a week away.

'If it happened now, it would be a bad time. When you face that news in May, you can look for players. But if you face that problem now or in January, then it's nearly impossible to find a replacement,' he admitted.

That uncertainty has seemingly been fostered by Real, who have been quoted on various occasions expressing their desire to see Vieira at the Bernabeu only to delay any official bid until last week.

Even then, the offer was reported to have been just £18million, well below even Arsenal's valuation if Vieira handed in a transfer request, as Real seem to be waiting for.

When he was asked if he was happy with the way the Spanish club had conducted themselves this summer, Wenger replied: 'Not really, no.

'There is only one way to deal with the situation. That is to do it early enough and to do it straight to the club.

'It's always difficult to know how much they have been fair or unfair as there are always agents involved as well.

'But although there is something true about it because they want him and approached us, that came out very, very late.'

This is not the first time relations between Arsenal and Real have been strained, with the Gunners having fought off interest from the Spanish for Vieira in the past, while Nicolas Anelka's move to the Bernabeu was also controversial.

'I feel sometimes they don't really know what they want. Their buys can be a little bit commercial or instinctive,' said Wenger mischievously.

'It's very difficult to find a clear guideline in their attitude and their behaviour. In the Beckham story, suddenly they signed him and you didn't know why.'

Wenger remains confident Arsenal can resist Real's approaches for Vieira again and does not believe the Spanish club will up their bid.

'No. I'm used to negotiations and relations between clubs and you sense a time like this. I cannot give you a concrete reason but it's just how I feel at the moment,' he said.

Vieira could, of course, have ended all the speculation by publicly pledging his future to Arsenal this summer. His silence has appeared to be telling.

'I agree that the fans could come to the conclusion that Patrick has not reassured them,' admitted Wenger. 'But they are like you and me, they can be wrong.

'It's down to Patrick. We wait for his commitment. We do want him to go and then it's down to his commitment.

'I don't want the other players to convince him. You want him to be convinced that he identifies with what we have created together here and where we want to go.

'Patrick has been here for eight years and I have faced the same thing every summer. The worst summers I've had have been when we have been especially successful as it wakes up the appetite of other teams even more.

'Maybe we also gave the impression that we were in a bit of a financial struggle as we're building a new stadium and that we were weak. That was maybe the case six months ago, but it's not any more.'

[Lance Knight]

Wenger: Make up your mind Vieira

Arsene Wenger tonight gave Patrick Vieira until next weekend to make up his mind over whether he wants to leave Arsenal.

The Gunners beat Manchester United 3-1 to win the FA Community Shield at Cardiff without their influential skipper, who is reported to be the subject of a £23million bid from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

And afterwards Wenger declared: 'I am not resigned to let that story go on. I think it will be sorted out before the start of the season.

'As I have said, my intention is to keep him. He has given eight fantastic years for the club.

'He has proved something that is fantastic and I want him to be part of the future of this team, but I want him to be clear in his mind, whether his heart is with us or not.

'Our intention is very clear. Only he can come out and clarify the situation now, and he needs to do that very quickly.'

The Arsenal manager continued: 'He is a player I respect because every game he has played for me he has done at the maximum. His commitment is not a question mark for me, he has always been outstanding in that.

'But before the start of the season we want the captain to be focussed on what the team wants to achieve.'

Wenger also insisted Arsenal would not stand in the way of their skipper leaving Highbury.

He said: 'My intention is clear, for him to stay and us to keep him - but if he chooses not to stay, then we have to find different solutions. I am positive that we can do well.

'If Patrick is focused to leave there will be an open door.'

[Lance Knight]

Quote:
Wenger issues deadline to Vieira

Patrick Vieira is under increasing pressure to break his self-imposed silence over his future intentions as the countdown begins to a weekend deadline imposed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Wenger does not want the continuing uncertainty over Vieira's future to cloud Arsenal's start to the defence of their Barclays Premiership crown at Everton on Sunday.

Even though the Gunners beat Manchester United in yesterday's Community Shield without their injured captain, the Arsenal boss again appealed for the midfielder to remain at Highbury.

However, Wenger admitted for the first time that he would allow Vieira to leave the club - at the right price - if he handed in a transfer request this week.

And with the transfer window closing at the end of this month, the Arsenal boss wants to be left with enough time to at least search for a replacement.

He has therefore set a deadline of next weekend for Vieira, who has not spoken on the issue at all so far this summer, to commit himself one way or the other.

'Our intention is very clear. Only he can come out and clarify the situation now, and he needs to do that very quickly,' declared Wenger.

'His commitment is not a question mark for me, he has always been outstanding in that. But before the start of the season, we want the captain to be focused on what the team wants to achieve.

'I want him to be part of the future of this team, but I want him to be clear in his mind, whether his heart is with us or not.'

Vieira must carefully judge his next move, as he cannot be certain Real would be willing to match Arsenal's asking price even if he did hand in a transfer request.

He must also satisfy himself that he is the Spanish club's main target, given that Marca, the Spanish newspaper with close links to Real, have just linked them with Wayne Rooney.

And Vieira has reportedly not been impressed with the initial wage offer made to his agent by Real, given that it fell well short of what the current 'galacticos' are earning.

It all adds up to a week of considerable intrigue as the player who could effectively make or break Arsenal's season weighs up his options.

He may even wish to wait until after the first leg of Real's Champions League qualifying round tie against Wisla Krakow this week before making his final decision.

After all, just as for United, that game holds the key to the club's prospects, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side having plenty to worry about after their 3-1 defeat in Cardiff.

While Arsenal were proving they could win without Vieira, at least on a one-off occasion, United's defensive weaknesses were broadcast to the world.

With nine players out - and Darren Fletcher also suspended for the Premiership opener at Chelsea - Ferguson has a testing week in store.

His problems were magnified as Jose Reyes lit up the occasion with his flourishing promise.

The Spanish international, who signed from Seville in January, should have put the Gunners ahead just after the break only to hit the side-netting after gliding past Mikael Silvestre and Tim Howard.

However, just a minute later, he broke free again and this time crossed for Gilberto Silva to guide the ball home.

While United's new signing, the industrious Alan Smith, quickly equalised with a thunderous shot, Reyes put Arsenal back ahead as he swivelled on to a loose ball amid defensive confusion.

Arsenal confirmed their victory as Ashley Cole's cross was deflected into his own net by Silvestre, with Wenger, who lost Jeremie Aliadiere to injury, paying tribute to Reyes' growing impact.

'He has not been at the European Championships, so he had a great preparation and it looked from the first day of pre-season that he has grown up and is much more confident,' he said.

'In the first three or four months he looked a bit lean and weak in the challenges, but now he looks strong and brave.'

It all augurs well for Arsenal's title defence - but only if Vieira stays.

[Lance Knight]

Quote:
Wenger 'surrenders' in Vieira battle

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's ultimatum to midfielder Patrick Vieira to decide by this weekend if he wants to move to Real Madrid has been taken in the Spanish press as an admission of defeat and that the Frenchman's arrival in Spain is imminent.
In Spain Wenger had until now been portrayed as the main obstacle to the Senegal-born French international's move to Real Madrid.


However, with Vieira's Arsenal and France team-mate Robert Pires saying Vieira wants out the pendulum has tilted back towards Madrid.

Wenger's latest remarks have been taken in the Spanish press as a virtual surrender.

'I want him to be part of the future of this team, but I want him to be clear in his mind, whether his heart is with us or not,' said Wenger.

The Spanish press crowed at what they consider to be Wenger's admission he may lose his player whom he has given a deadline of this weekend to decide.

'Wenger surrenders and gives free rein to Vieira's departure,' headlines Diario AS, which insists it will be hard for Madrid to raise their offer for the player much higher than the £19.95million already reported to be on the table.

AS' main rival Marca carries on in a similar vein, but prefers to centre its story on Vieira's Arsenal team-mate Robert Pires.

'We all want him to stay, but he has chosen and we respect that. I wish him all the luck in the world at the Santiago Bernabeu,' said Pires.

However, although it does now look likely that Vieira will be on his way to Madrid, the paper admits that the midfielder has been 'Florentino Perez's most complicated signing.'

Construction mogul Perez has set the standard for audacious transfer coups with deals for Luis Figo (2000), Zinedine Zidane (2001), Ronaldo (2002) and David Beckham (2003).

Arsenal's reported asking price of £27.95million has made this the most difficult deal for Real to tie up.

If, or when, Vieira finally lands in Madrid, he is certain to find a warm welcome from utility player Ivan Helguera, who wants to see his side tighten up in their defensive duties.

'I don't know if Vieira will come or not, I want the best for Real Madrid and if that means Vieira coming, then I'm delighted,' said Helguera.

Vieira's arrival would do a lot to strengthen the defensive aspect of a side that missed out on winning anything last season because of their weakness at the back.

'Here everyone has to defend, not just the defenders,' Helguera continued.

'The team is weak in defence, not just in the defensive line. Everyone in the side has to defend,' he said, adding that coach Jose Antonio Camacho was the man to help remedy that.

'He did a good job as Spain coach and here you can tell he's in charge,' he said.

And Vieira's signing would no doubt make Camacho's task that little bit easier.

[Lance Knight]

Quote:
Vieira will leave Highbury - Pires

Arsenal winger Robert Pires has revealed that Patrick Vieira has already decided on a move to Real Madrid.
Pires' admission came as Arsene Wenger gave Vieira until this weekend to make an announcement on his future plans amid continued interest from the Spanish club.


Although Vieira has made no public statement about his plans so far this summer, Pires would appear to have already conceded that his friend is set to leave Highbury.

The Arsenal winger admitted: 'His sale will leave a huge void in the middle of our side, but we can adapt to a life without his leadership.

'All the players wanted Patrick to stay. But he's made a choice and we respect that. We can all understand why he's decided to go to La Liga.

'I'd just wish him all the luck in the world at the Bernabeu.'

Pires' comments, which appeared in yesterday's edition of Scotland's Sunday Herald newspaper, were reported by the author of his autobiography, Xavier Rivoire, a respected French journalist.

Two potential stumbling-blocks still remain - Arsenal may still hold out for rather more than Real are prepared to offer in a transfer fee and Vieira has yet to agree personal terms in Spain.

Indeed, reports have indicated that the Spanish club's opening offer to the midfielder was well short of what the existing 'galacticos' earn.

However, the move looks increasingly likely and Pires' comments are the most revealing indication yet of the potential next chapter in the ongoing saga.

After all, Wenger has now admitted he would allow Vieira to leave the club - at the right price - if he handed in a transfer request this week, even though he still wants him to stay.

'Only he can come out and clarify the situation now, and he needs to do that very quickly,' said Wenger after his side's Community Shield win against Manchester United, without the injured Vieira.

'His commitment is not a question mark for me, he has always been outstanding in that. But before the start of the season, we want the captain to be focused on what the team wants to achieve.

'I want him to be part of the future of this team, but I want him to be clear in his mind, whether his heart is with us or not.

'My intention is clear, for him to stay and us to keep him. But if he chooses not to stay, then we have to find different solutions. I am positive that we can do well.'

Spanish newspapers today interpreted those remarks as effectively throwing in the towel, given that Real rarely, if ever, fail to snare their leading transfer target each summer.

With three weeks of the transfer window still to run, no official announcement is expected until after the first leg of Real's Champions League qualifying round tie against Wisla Krakow this week.

However, Arsenal appear to have already begun the search for midfield reinforcements, with West Ham bracing themselves for an official bid for Michael Carrick.

Wenger, who has admitted his interest in Carrick, has nevertheless played down reports of a move for Portugal's Euro 2004 star Maniche.

'Have I looked at him? Not really, no. I was at the European Championships and I saw him play, but I knew about him before. You can ask Porto, I have never made an inquiry about Maniche,' he said at the weekend.

While many Arsenal fans would be loathe to lose Vieira, former Arsenal captain Tony Adams believes that now may be the right time to sell the 28-year-old midfielder.

He told the Sunday Herald: 'Patrick's only got a year or two left at the top level. Looking at the way he runs, basic physiology will tell you that.

'I believe that one leg is three centimetres longer than the other. As a result, I don't think he'll be playing into his thirties, at the top level anyway.

'Arsene [Wenger] would be thinking 'okay, you can probably do another three years but what are we going to get for you then?'

'Actually, the loss of Dennis [Bergkamp] would worry me more than the loss of Patrick. The way Dennis plays and what he's done for the club, he'll be virtually impossible to replace when he retires [next summer].'

[Lance Knight]

Vieira to move on Thursday - report

Reports in Spain insist that Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira could be a Real Madrid player as soon as Thursday.
The club, also linked with Liverpool forward Michael Owen, are remaining tight-lipped but the media are convinced the Senegal-born French international is on the way to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.


Diario AS believe the deal to confirm Vieira as a new Real Madrid player will be concluded almost as soon as the Spanish club return from their Champions League qualifier with Wisla Krakow in Poland.

The paper reported: 'If everything goes as planned, Vieira will be presented on Thursday as a new Real Madrid player for the next five years and he will immediately join their training sessions.'

However, the paper admits there are still some small details to be thrashed out between Arsenal and Madrid before the move can finally be confirmed.

'(Real Madrid president) Florentino Perez travelled from Palma in Mallorca to Madrid to personally carry out the negotiations.

'What is obvious is that Madrid will not pay more than €30million (£20million) - at most they will go two or three million over that - although Arsenal are still determined to ask for more money.

'Arsenal want to be paid in two instalments while Madrid aim to pay in four years. What is certain is that Arsenal want the subject closed by Saturday.'

That deadline was imposed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger following the Community Shield.

Meanwhile, Madrid striker Ronaldo, who lived through a similar situation when he left Inter Milan for Madrid two years ago, was already looking forward to Vieira's arrival.

'The most important thing in cases like this is to know what the player wants,' said Ronaldo, who himself forced his exit from Italy following contact from Madrid - a move that infuriated Inter, who had stood by the player through almost two years of injury.

'I don't know what Vieira wants to do, but it all depends on that and if he wants to leave that is what he will certainly do.

'A club never wants a player who is unhappy,' he said.

The Brazilian added: 'He is a great player and it would be very interesting to have him with us.'

[Lance Knight]

here is a bit more to chew on:

'Vieira fee agreed' - Marca

Quote:
Reports in Spain claim that Arsenal have agreed to sell midfielder Patrick Vieira to Real Madrid for £22.1million.
Both of the Spanish capital's leading sports papers, Marca and Diario AS, believe the fee has been settled by the clubs for the France midfielder after a protracted transfer saga.


'It is nine million (euros) less than Arsenal wanted and three million more than Madrid were willing to pay,' said Marca.

It has been widely reported that Vieira will be presented as a Real player tomorrow after his new team-mates return from their Champions League qualifier with Wisla Krakow in Poland although Marca believes that 'Friday or the start of next week' is a more likely scenario.

Both papers claim Vieira's salary is going to be less than that of the four 'galacticos' signed by Real president Florentino Perez - David Beckham, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo.

Marca consider he will earn slightly less than £3.34million a year while AS say Madrid are offering £3million - the same as Roberto Carlos who joined the club before Perez took over the presidency.

After the Community Shield final Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave Vieira a deadline of this weekend to decide where his future lay.

[Leon of Silvren]

Real close in on Vieira, BBC Sport 11/8/04

Patrick Vieira's agent is believed to have spent most of Wednesday in talks with Real Madrid as the saga over his possible transfer nears an end.

But Steve Kutner refused to confirm any details despite reports in two Spanish papers that a fee of £22.1m had been agreed between the two clubs.

"I cannot say anything more - I am in all-day meetings and do not know when they will finish," said Kutner.

Arsene Wenger has asked Vieira to resolve his future before the weekend.

But the media reports from Spain suggested Real president Florentino Perez would secure Vieira's signature in a five-year deal as soon as Thursday.

Perez is involved at the heart of the negotiations to bring the French international to Real.

The main sticking point in wrapping up the deal is how much he will pay for Vieira and just how that money will be paid.

Real want to pay the Gunners over four years but Arsenal are demanding only two cash instalments.

Reports also claim Arsenal want a clause in Vieira's Real contract which prevents him being sold on to Premiership rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

Madrid will also be keen to bring the speculation to an end as they are back in the spotlight after being linked with another big raid on the Premiership.

The Spanish giants are reportedly interested in luring England striker Michael Owen to the Bernabeu in a £10m deal.

[Leon of Silvren]

'Arsenal want Man Utd, Chelsea clause in Real Madrid's Vieira deal' - www.realmadrid.dk - 11/8/04

Arsenal want a sell-on clause inserted in Patrick Vieira's deal ahead of his move to Real Madrid.

The Daily Express says Arsenal are willing to sell Vieira, providing there is a clause in the deal that means he can't be sold back to either Chelsea or Manchester United.

[Lance Knight]

lol i like that. but i dont think vieira would ever go to Chelsea or Man U because of this Arsenal history. Also i think that Real should give up on the Owen deal and add about a 3 mil more to the offer for vieira

[Leon of Silvren]

Well the transfer went down again, when it seemed almost done with €33m, now Arsenal is asking for €37.5m, a very high price to pay, however Madrid says that €36m is the higher price they're willing to pay.

[Lance Knight]

well i just read on soccernet.com that vieira is staying. but hea we've got owen now