Real Madrid haggle with Arsenal's Vieira over image rights

Real Madrid spent yesterday thrashing out personal terms with Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.

Those close to negotiations say a deal could be announced as early as today, with just the final details over image rights needing to be agreed.

Real and Arsenal have agreed a fee - £23 million - for the French international, but a contract is yet to be struck.

Vieira is being offered a four-year deal, worth £3 million-a-season - which is on a level of Roberto Carlos' new contract. But Vieira wants to be paid the same £4 million-a-year that Zinedine Zidane and Raul earn.

A compromise is being discussed regarding Vieira's image rights. At the moment Vieira's representatives are offering 50 per cent, but Real are insisting on 100 per cent use of the midfielder's image - which would bring him in line with the rest of the squad.

If Vieira agrees to Real's request, then his contract will be improved says AS.