Real Madrid intermediary sounds out Arsenal's Vieira

Real Madrid have made their first serious move for Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.

The Guardian says Real sent an emissary to London to gauge the Frenchman's willingness to switch to the Bernabéu.

Its also been revealed that Real director, José Angel Sánchez, has already spoken to Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein directly to inform him they are interested in signing Vieira.

Sanchez was told a price of £30m was what Arsenal will demand if Vieira insists on leaving.

Real president Florentino Perez wants to be absolutely clear on the Arsenal captain's attitude and asked a lawyer, who is commonly used by the club for such high-level intermediary work, to establish exactly what Vieira is thinking.

Its emerged that the lawyer was informed Vieira's stance was based purely on his fear that both Arsenal and the Premiership have become comfort zones for him.