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Benfica to offer Pires dream contract in Portugal

First Published: Mar 31, 2006
Juventus' Patrick Vieira (L) is tracked by Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires during a Champions League quarter-final game at Highbury in London, March 28. Portuguese giants Benfica are confident of signing Pires at the end of the season, the A Bola sports daily reported.

Juventus' Patrick Vieira (L) is tracked by Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires during a Champions League quarter-final game at Highbury in London, March 28. Portuguese giants Benfica are confident of signing Pires at the end of the season, the A Bola sports daily reported.

Portuguese giants Benfica are confident of signing Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires at the end of the season, the A Bola sports daily reported.

The French international is of Portuguese origin and the paper said Friday that his father's dream was to see his son end his playing career in Lisbon with Benfica.

The 32-year-old Pires sees his current contract expire at the end of the season and as yet he has not signed a new deal.

Gunners coach Arsene Wenger has said he wants to keep Pires but a number of big clubs are said to be interested in signing him.

Capped 79 times for his country and a member of the victorious French sides at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, Pires joined Arsenal in 2000 after two years with Marseille.