Arsenal chief in Vieira Real talks

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein was due to meet Patrick Vieira for talks which could lead to the France midfielder joining Real Madrid.

Real Madrid sporting director Emilio Butragueno has admitted they were keen on adding the 28-year-old to their star-studded squad.

"He's a very interesting player and he's very important for us and our club," the former Real striker said on the club's Japan tour.

"We're not there yet. It's a long process ... I think this week will be decisive."

Real spokesman Marta Santiesteban added: "Talks are going on."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said this week he was confident Vieiras future lay with the London club.

"I have said it 100 times, there is nothing to talk about," Wenger told the Arsenal website. "He will not go to Real Madrid. If that was true it would have happened a long time ago."

But Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is a keen admirer of Vieira and seems prepared to bankroll a suggested 30 million pound swoop for the World Cup and European Championship winner as new boss Jose Antonio Camacho looks to build a side for another assault on the Champions League.

Perez, re-elected earlier this month, has made it his policy to sign a new galactico each season. He has brought Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham to the Bernabeu in the last four years.

But despite the talent, Real ended last season without any trophies.

Butragueno said he was keen to turn the page on last season.

"All of a sudden our performance went down. There were two or three really important matches where we were unlucky and that had a negative effect. We are very happy about the future. We think we have a great team and we think that Camacho is going to do a good job, so we are optimistic."

Arsenal are training in Austria where Dein was set for his summit with Vieira.