Real Madrid won't force deal for Arsenal's Vieira

Real Madrid are ready to bide their time in their pursuit of Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.

The Spanish giants know that Vieira wants a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but are happy to make Arsenal sweat ahead of launching a bid for the Frenchman.

Arsenal have gone into panic mode and held a midweek board meeting to try to find a way to keep their captain.

At the same time Vieira, who had interrupted his holiday in Florida, was back in England to hold talks with his agent Steve Kutner. He then immediately flew to France.

Meanwhile, Real coach Jose Antonio Camacho has rubbished claims that they have tapped up Vieira.

He said: "I have never spoken to a player who doesn't belong to my team."

"If a player has another trainer and president it would not be ethical to phone them asking them to come to Real Madrid."

But Camacho admitted it was unfortunate that Real's bid to land Vieira has become public knowledge.

He added: "We always try to sign the best players but we try not to give their names away before the deal is done."

"It is known that Real have to cover some places with players of the highest quality."

"We are not in a rush but I would like to have the squad finalised before our Champions League games start."