Arsenal's Vieira must take pay-cut for Real Madrid move

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira will have to take a pay-cut to join Real Madrid.

Real president Florentino Perez is waiting to receive encouragement from Arsenal to bid for the Frenchman, who is currently in Austria at the club's preseason training camp.

Perez is confident he can sign Vieira for £21 million and will push the deal through before next month's Champions League deadline. Marca says Vieira will have to accept a wage-cut to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Gunners captain is Real's No1 midfield target, even though he will cost more than AS Roma's Emerson, who has a £12 million Madrid offer still on the table.

Xabi Alonso has also re-entered the frame, with his club Real Sociedad inviting Real Madrid to bid again for the player after interest has dried up in the 22 year-old over the past fortnight.