United v Arsenal: The battle to prise �22m skipper from Highbury Wenger must decide whether it is now or never to sell his talisman
By Martin Lipton, Chief Football Writer � IF there is a prospect designed to send a shudder down the back of every Arsenal fan, it is the idea of Patrick Vieira leaving Highbury to join the club's bitterest rivals. Vieira, more than any of the other players Arsene Wenger has brought to North London, represents the heart and soul of the club the Frenchman has built over the past seven years. Losing the captain, to Manchester United of all teams, would be a signal that the ambitions that have driven Arsenal since the beginning of the Wenger revolution are over. No wonder, then, that Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein reacted with such speed to Mirror Sport's revelation that Sir Alex Ferguson is willing to launch a �22million raid for the midfielder. Dein insisted the captain is not for sale and so far he and Wenger have been able to head off all attempts to seduce Vieira away from Highbury, spurning the entreaties from United and Real Madrid over the past two years as the player's reputation has continued to soar.That has been done by a mixture of soft-talking and ego-massage, allied to Vieira's decision to dump agent Marc Roger in favour of Highbury's favourite representative, Jerome Anderson and his Sports Entertainment Media group. Yet with Vieira so far proving reluctant to sign the new deal that has been on offer for months, the reality is that the club may have to consider the inconceivable. With only a year left on his contract, Vieira knows all the cards are stacked in his favour. Unless he decides to put pen to paper, the Frenchman can sign a pre-contract agreement for a free transfer to the overseas club of his choosing on January 1. As the best holding midfielder in world football, Vieira is aware that his value has held up. Even in what is a receding global market he is one of the untouchables. Yet if he will not sign a new contract in the next few weeks, then Arsenal have to decide whether they should not cash in on the asset while they can. But it is impossible to believe that the Gunners would be willing to sell to United - whatever the offer. Dein, as much as Wenger, would not countenance the prospect of his captain replacing Roy Keane as the fulcrum of the Old Trafford side, a constant reminder of what the Gunners had let go. But if �22m were on the table from elsewhere, a figure that would dwindle away to nothing in just 12 months' time, the arguments in favour of cashing in grow swiftly. Wenger knows he has limited funds available this summer in the wake of the cash problems caused by the delays on the Ashburton Grove stadium project. That is why Arsenal are discussing a cash-plus-player exchange deal to land Harry Kewell from Leeds. If Wenger could be persuaded of the merits and exact a promise that any money raised by selling Vieira would be put into his transfer pot, that could see him bring in four or even five top-class players. Should Real be tempted again - and their desire to see Vieira in a white shirt has not been abated by the capture of David Beckham - Wenger could demand Claude Makelele as the relatively-inexpensive makeweight. In addition, Wenger would have the funds to bring in the central defender, right-back and goalkeeper that he has admitted are essential to challenge United for the title. Wenger has vowed once again this week that he will see out the remaining two years of his own Highbury contract, despite the interest of Real and other clubs. The French manager, though, could justifiably argue that he was being undermined if Vieira was allowed to go against his will. If he departed, then the other French musketeers - Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Sylvain Wiltord - will surely follow. Arsenal cannot allow that to happen. The hard talking begins now and Arsenal must be willing to bend as far as they can in order to ensure Vieira signs an extension until at least 2006. That might mean a private promise to the player that he will be allowed to go to the club of his choice that meets Arsenal's valuation if Wenger's side can neither recapture their Premiership crown next May nor reach at least the last eight of the Champions League. It is not a particularly good deal for the Gunners. But it is far better than the alternative. President Richard Nixon's advisor Chuck Colson explained US foreign policy in the early 70s in simple terms: "When you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow." Vieira has an iron grip on Arsenal. And he knows it. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Get A Free Psychic Reading! Your Online Answer To Life's Important Questions. http://us.click.yahoo.com/Lj3uPC/Me7FAA/ySSFAA/tsUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************** Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
