Real quiet over Vieira 'bid'

Real Madrid today refused to confirm that they have tabled a bid for Arsenal's Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal have indicated they will not accept a bid of less than £20m and still do not know if the midfielder will be staying.

The Spanish club have until Thursday to sign the player in time to beat the Champions League registration deadline.

Although Vieira has not formally asked for a transfer, it is clear to manager Arsene Wenger and vice-chairman David Dein that he is tempted by a move but a Real spokesman said today: "We cannot say if there has been a bid."

Arsenal accept that if Vieira wants to go they should cash in on the 28-year-old's talents but Real are around £6m short of Arsenal's £20m valuation.

Vieira missed Arsenal's friendly against Ajax on Sunday with a thigh strain which is likely to keep the captain out of Sunday's Community Shield clash against Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Real coach Jose Antonio Camacho confirmed that his priority is to strengthen the backbone of his team.

"Defence is a job for the entire team, but we can't ask players like Figo, Ronaldo or Zidane to run 50metres in every move. We have five players who attack in this side and what we need are five who also defend."