Pires: 'Vieira will join Real'

Robert Pires has revealed that Patrick Vieira has already made up his mind to join Real Madrid.

With Madrid president Florentino Perez reported to be preparing an increased offer for the France midfielder, Arsene Wenger's hopes of keeping his 28-year-old captain look to be fading.

Yesterday, following their 3-1 Community Shield victory over Manchester United, the Arsenal manager issued Vieira with an ultimatum saying he has until the end of the week to decide his future.

But according to Pires, Vieira has already told his team-mates he is leaving.

In an interview with his biographer, published in the Scottish Sunday Herald newspaper, Pires said: "All the players wanted Patrick to stay. But he has made a choice and we respect that.

"We can all understand why he has decided to go, especially given what he has achieved since he came to England from Milan.

"The page was turned on Patrick's Highbury career just as we were preparing to face Manchester United in the Community Shield. I would just wish him all the luck in the world at the Bernabeu."

In an effort to find a replacement, Wenger was today preparing to step up his interest in West Ham's Michael Carrick.

Hammers manager Alan Pardew said today that the club had not yet received an official approach from Arsenal. But Pardew said: "It looks like he will go. I would like to keep him but it doesn't seem likely at this stage. Arsenal have made sounds they are going to be involved, but we haven't yet received an offer."

West Ham have agreed a £3.5million fee for Carrick with Portsmouth, but that move is now on hold.