Real Madrid want Arsenal's Vieira before Euro deadline

Real Madrid have set themselves a deadline to sign Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.

The Spanish giants want Vieira in time to register him for the Champions League and Real director of sport Emilio Butragueno said: "We want good news because we're approaching the qualifying round of the Champions League. Logically, we want to complete the signing before then."

"We will treat those two matches like two finals because they are essential for the club, so if manager Jose Camacho has a complete squad upon returning from our tour to Japan it would be fantastic."

The Sun says Real head for the Far East on Monday for two matches as part of a £10m five-day trip.

Japanese sponsors are desperate for Gunners skipper Vieira, 28, to be included in the visit and have asked to be kept informed as they promote the tour.