FC Barcelona ask Wenger for Vieira

FC Barcelona have contacted French international Patrick Vieira while they were trying to bring Arsene Wenger to the Camp Nou.

President Joan Gaspart seems to be obsessed with signing a top quality defensive midfielder, even though last summer he signed Emmanuel Petit, Ivan de la Pena and Gerard Lopez but none of them are regulars in the first team nowadays writes Rafael Salido. Coach Serra Ferrer seems to trust more veteran players such Josep Guardiola and Phillipe Cocu and rising star Xavi Hern·ndez. That makes it six players for, at maximum, two places, which does not sound like a very good idea.

Vieira is a most experienced player despite his youth and knows how to control the pace of the game and cut off the rival attacks. Even though he is only 25 years old he is a regular for both Arsenal and the national team, having already won the World Cup, the European Championship and the Premier League. The only problem for his arrival may be the fact that Arsenal will not want to let Vieira leave and his £18 million price may be far too much for FC Barcelona unless the Spanish giants starts selling off some players.

Barca broke their club record today to sign Boca Juniors star Juan Riquelme and Gaspart would love to put him alongside Rivaldo and Vieira next season. Riquelme is set to earn $3 million a season over the next five years after Barca agreed a £20 million price with Boca although the player has yet to finalise his personal terms and sign the deal.

Another problem is that Gaspart still does not know who will be coaching the team next year. The Barca president has commented several times that that will only depend on current coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer as he is also the club's Sporting Manager, but the fact is that he has already contacted Valencia's Hector Cuper and Frenchman Arsene Wenger.

Wenger refused to comment today on an interview given by Gaspart in which the president claimed Wenger had refused the chance to coach Barca next season. Gaspart said Wenger wanted to see out his Arsenal contract to 2002 when he would be available for SS Lazio.

Gaspart is ready to bring in Hector Cuper for next season after ruling out Ronald Koeman as too young yet for the first team job at Barca. Valencia have been linked with a bid to try and bring Claudio Ranieri back to the club with Chelsea turning to their former 1960s playing star George Graham for next season.