By Ian Grant
Arsenal winning Vieira battle
Arsenal are winning their battle to keep Patrick Vieira, according to the Observer. And an announcement that he’s staying could be made today.
It posits that a £22.5m bid from Real was lodged with Arsenal.
But Arsenal offered Vieira £55,000/week, up from £25,000 (£2.7m/year).
And the paper claims that Real still owe Arsenal £12m from the Anelka transfer. It was to be paid in instalments, unless Anelka moved on. So David Dein won’t do business.
Arsenal could have had cash plus a pick (probably two) from Flavio, Geremi, Elvir Baljic and Steve McManaman.
And both Zidane and Makalele have been in touch with Vieira, urging him to come to Madrid.
Ina today too
Reading through Kyodo News as you do, it says Inamoto played his last game in Japan before going to Arsenal.
Nygaard
The Express says Arsenal want Danish midfield star Marc Nygaard, for £2m. While other papers say Arsenal are preapred to offer Pep Guardiola a big salary to come.
[The Arsenal midfield set to become a very crowded place then.]
Seaman
Arsene Wenger said that Dave Seaman remains Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper – and it up to Richard Wright to displace him.
Manninger
Borussia have gone cold on Alex Manninger’s proposed move – cost being a major factor. Now Everton are interested.
Tavlaridis
The Observer reckons Arsenal are close to offereing Greek u-21 star Stathis Tavlaridis a contract.