Juve open Vieira talks High ranking Juventus officials are understood to have arrived in England to negotiate the transfer of Patrick Vieira. Reports of Juve's liking of Vieira and team-mate Robert Pires have been widespread in recent weeks and it seems the Old Lady are now pushing ahead with a bid for the Arsenal captain.
Juventus are piecing together a new offer for Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. The Italian champions are refusing to concede defeat in their quest to tempt Arsenal into selling their skipper. Officials from the two clubs met earlier this week in London to discuss Juve's bid for the France international, with Arsenal giving a lukewarm response to the proposal. The Gunners are reluctant to give in to Juve's desire to sign Vieira but they are finding the Old Lady to be stubborn suitors. An initial offer of €7 million (£4.8 million) plus Stephen Appiah was quickly rejected by Arsenal, with reports suggesting the FA Cup winners want €20 million (£13.6 million) for Vieira. But, if a player/exchange is required, then Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is demanding Jonathan Zebina is included in the package. Juve are currently loath to let the defender leave the club, while they have already dismissed any notion of David Trezeguet being part of the deal. A new round of talks between the clubs is expected next week, with Juve's general manager Luciano Moggi anxious for a fresh meeting. Moggi insists Juve will not be calling time on their pursuit of Vieira as the Serie A outfit look to construct a deal which will persuade Arsenal to sell the midfield powerhouse. "Arsenal don't want to sell him," conceded Moggi. "Does he cost too much? I haven't said that. "Anyway, we must meet again."
id swap him for Trezeguet anyday with the MF's they have coming thru from the youth team being so good.
how old are they both? sell them now i say while they can. arsenal have some awsome youth players coming through.
Real Madrid are understood to have rekindled their interest in Arsenal's Patrick Vieira following revelations that Juventus had lined up a deal for the French international. Despite denials all round, Juve are reported to have already submitted one offer for Vieira and, after seeing it rejected, are ready to match Arsenal's £15 million asking price. However, their attempts to lure the 29-year-old away from Highbury have stung Real into action. The Spaniards are long-term admirers of the Gunners skipper and seemed to have sewn up a deal for him last summer only for Vieira to back out at the last minute. Real were hoping to try and snare Steven Gerrard from Liverpool following his revelation he wanted to quit Anfield last week, but, following the England's star dramatic U-turn, have switched their attention back to Vieira. Although they have already brought in Uruguayan international Pablo Garcia to increase competition in the centre of their midfield, president Florentino Perez is still hankering after a 'galactico' signing to bolster the club's ranks. It is claimed Vieira has signalled his desire to finally leave Highbury after nine years in North London and Arsenal appear willing to relent to his demand as long as they are recompensed to the tune of £15 million. It has been claimed in some quarters that Real held talks with Arsenal staff in Madrid this week and are ready to try and use Michael Owen as bait to land the Frenchman. Although the story is likely to be met with a certain amount of contempt by fans following last summer's events involving the same protagonists, it does seem Real are again ready to try and land the man they have now been chasing for four years.
He's been crap the last two seasons, 15 Millions a good price tho, im sure whateve club he moves to will rejuvinate his carrear.
arsenal and juventus have agreed a price of £13.7m quite cheap considering only 2years ago they could have sold him for £30+ !!! looks like he'll replace emerson whos ment to be going to real madrid swap deal for walter samual !!!
Arsenal have agreed the €20 million sale of Patrick Vieira to Juventus. The Turin club have succeeded where Real Madrid failed in luring the France international powerhouse away from Highbury. Vieira is currently on his way to Italy to discuss personal terms with the Old Lady, with Juve expecting to concur on a five-year deal with the 29-year-old. Juve expect to unveil Vieira to the media on Friday, provided he comes through his medical with no hitches. The Turin club have stated the fee will be paid in three installments; €10 million now, €5 million next year and a further €5 million in 2007. The midfielder has been a key figure for The Gunners since joining the club from Milan in 1996 and his absence will be sorely felt by all at Highbury. Gunners chief Arsene Wenger has expressed sadness at the departure of his first signing. "I share the sadness with our supporters that Patrick has left us, but on the other hand I would say to them trust us and support us," Wenger told the club's website. "We'll be strong next season and we need you behind us like you have always been. We will not disappoint you. "Patrick was a great player for us, one of the greatest in the club's history and I feel I had a special relationship with him because I made him come here. "I think his impact, not only at Arsenal but in English football overall was just tremendous. "The sad thing is that he leaves us, but the good thing is that he leaves us on a high. His last kick for the club was symbolic as it won us the FA Cup. "Patrick will always be special for Arsenal football club, always in our hearts and our minds. All I can do is thank him for all he gave to the club and wish him well in his career." Vieira admits it was a wrench to depart North London, but feels the time is right for a fresh challenge. "When you spend nine years at the club, like I did, it is a difficult decision to leave. But in the end you have to make a choice for your future," said the midfielder. "It was a very difficult decision, but I am happy with it. "I made the decision to leave because I felt it was time for me to have a new challenge. But that does not mean I was unhappy or that I was having a problem at Arsenal. "It was just that I had the feeling I needed to grow and meet a new challenge, and I feel Juventus was the best challenge for me." Vieira reserved special praise for the Gunners supporters. "I'd like to thank the Arsenal fans," he added. "They have been fabulous. Even recently in the street they were saying 'if you are going, then thanks for the last nine years'. That is really touching and it makes me feel that I gave my best for the club. "I can go with my head held high. I did my best every day in training and in every match, and I left shaking the hand of Arsene Wenger and Mr Dein. That was really important to me." Wenger is sure to strive to find a replacement for Vieira and with money burning a hole in his pocket, he could have the pick of Europe's midfielders.
he has his medical this morning - press confence this morning 11 pm our time were juve unvail him as the new signin on sky sports news
Arsenal have done a good bit of business there then. I should have got him for the local sunday league team two years ago, out of my own wallet.
