Chelsea urges Real Madrid to sign Arsenal's Vieira

Chelsea are encouraging Real Madrid to sign Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.

Representatives from both clubs held talks last week on a range of matters, including the future of Real midfielder Claude Makelele and also Vieira's situation at Arsenal.

Chelsea are keen to sign Makelele, but Real insist the Frenchman is not for sale - particularly with the squad so thin on quality holding midfielders.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich was quoted over the weekend admitting: "We are not in the position of signing Makelele, unless Real Madrid sign Vieira."