Patrick Vieira set for talks with Arsene Wenger about Arsenal return
Arsene Wenger is expected to hold talks imminently with Patrick Vieira about the intriguing possibility of the club's former captain returning to Arsenal.
Although no deal has yet been agreed, it is understood that Wenger is open-minded about the idea of offering Vieira a heavily performance-related one-year contract as he attempts to bring added experience to the Arsenal squad.
Vieira is also wanted by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who previously had been encouraged by conversations he had with the France midfielder's agent.
Redknapp also claimed that Vieira was prepared to cross the north London divide and play for Tottenham, although it is now understood that he would be reluctant to risk his revered status with the Arsenal supporters.
Vieira, 33, was a peripheral figure under Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan last season, although he has enjoyed an encouraging pre-season and could feasibly remain in Serie A next season.
He has one year left on his £85,000-per-week deal with the Italian champions, who would want only a relatively small fee. Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring developments, but have not tabled offers.
The possibility of Vieira returning to Arsenal was first raised on Wednesday by his former team-mate, Ian Wright, on his TalkSport radio show. "I'm hearing Vieira, pay-as-you-play, back at Arsenal. That's what I'm hearing, and that's what I'm hoping," Wright said.
The idea was initially met with caution. Wenger has never previously gone back for a player and would be extremely sensitive about the impact Vieira's arrival might have on his emerging midfielders, particularly Alex Song, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Denilson and Abou Diaby.
Wenger, though, also ruefully noted at the end of last season that he already had enough players who lacked experience. In Vieira, he would not just be getting a powerful presence on the field but, potentially of equal importance, a personality who could help mature and inspire others in the dressing room.
Arsenal did little on Thursday to silence the speculation, greeting all queries relating to Vieira without making any comment. Sources in Italy, though, spoke positively about the idea, and the issue will be top of the agenda when Wenger addresses the media this afternoon.
On Wednesday night, immediately after the 1-0 win over Hannover, Wenger had said that his squad was "good enough" to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
He also stressed that he was not close to making any signings and even hinted that it was not certain he would spend further this summer. However, he did admit that there was money available and said they were looking for the "right players".
On Thursday he admitted that he was considering several options. "We don't make money to leave it in the banks," he said. "We are looking at some possibilities to strengthen the squad and we will only do it for the players that are worth spending the money on."
Vieira was rated fifth by Arsenal supporters on their all-time list of greatest players and was with Wenger for his three Premier League titles and four FA Cup wins. Indeed, since he left for Juventus in 2005 for £13.75 million after scoring a penalty in the FA Cup final against Manchester United, Arsenal have yet to win another trophy.
Redknapp yesterday reacted with surprise to the news that Wenger could hijack his deal. "Is that true? That is surprising," he said. "That's the first I have heard about it. He'll be a good player for whichever team he signs for."
Asked if he would be disappointed if Vieira went to Arsenal, Redknapp said: "He belonged to Arsenal, he was a fantastic player. I am sure if the opportunity came to go back to the club, then he'd probably take it. But I don't know. It could be a rumour."
Redknapp confirmed his ongoing interest in Real Madrid forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has also been linked in the Spanish press with Arsenal.
So far this summer Wenger has sold Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City for a combined £39 million and spent £10 million on the Belgium centre-back Thomas Vermaelen.
Having explained Manchester United's superiority in the Premier League with reference to their defensive record, Wenger has been particularly keen to reinforce that area of his squad.
Other potential targets are Norway centre-back Brede Hangeland, Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh and St Etienne holding midfielder Blaise Matuidi. At the age of 22, Matuidi would certainly be a more characteristic Wenger signing than the 2009 Vieira model.
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