Vieira's agent plays down bid

Patrick Vieira's agent today played down reports that the Arsenal captain is considering a £30million move to Real Madrid.

The Spanish club's interest in Vieira has intensified following Florentino Perez's victory in Sunday's presidential elections but they have yet to make a
formal bid. It has been reported that the player's representatives have lined-up a meeting with Real in Madrid today but Vieira's agent, Steve Kutner, insisted that any approach for his client must be made through Arsenal.

Kutner said: "Just because Perez says he admires a player doesn't mean he is going to sign him. If Real want to sign Patrick Vieira they have to contact Arsenal." Perez wasted little time in targetting Vieira following his unanimous victory in Sunday's presidential elections and yesterday reiterated his policy of signing a 'galactico' every summer.

He said: "There are no players that are not for sale. The only problem is money. This business works by winning trophies."

But Arsenal are determined to resist any approaches for Vieira who has three years to run on his contract.