| Vieira had been negotiating a move to Real since the end of Euro 2004 | ||
|
LONDON,England -- French international Patrick Vieira has decided to turn down a move to Real Madrid and stay with Arsenal.
Vieira had been poised for a 23 million pounds ($41.8 million) switch to the Spanish club but announced from Highbury: "The ties that I have here were too strong to break."
"I'm staying. I'm proud to be captain of the club and I'm looking forward to achieving my ambitions," said the 28-year-old.
The French midfielder's decision came 24 hours before the kick-off of the 2004/05 Premiership season and two days before Arsenal begin the defense of their title away to Everton.
Vieira had been involved in negotiations about a possible move to Real since shortly after Euro 2004 having reportedly decided he needed a fresh challenge.
According to reports in Spain, negotiations with Real broke down on Thursday because the Spanish giants were not willing to meet Arsenal's asking price or Vieira's own personal demands.
Vieira admitted that he had spent the summer considering a possible move to Real but said it was his desire to carry on playing for Arsenal that had resulted in his decision to stay.
In a statement Arsenal said: "Whilst we understood Patrick's quandary, our position throughout has remained the same. We are a club driven by success on the pitch and that means we do not seek to sell our best players.
"Arsene Wenger has assembled a highly talented squad of players with the ambition of winning every major honor the game has on offer. Patrick is pivotal to that objective and it has always been our desire for him to stay here at Arsenal.
"We now look forward to Patrick captaining the team to further glory over the coming seasons.
"On a final note, we wish to state that, despite any suggestions to the contrary, Real Madrid have acted properly throughout this uncertain period."
Wenger said Vieira told him of his decision Thursday night.
"It was a relief," he told a press conference.
Vieira, widely considered one of the best midfielders in the world, has repeatedly been linked with Real Madrid and some reports this week claimed a transfer fee had been agreed.
"It's one of the few occasions in sport where money did not play a part," Wenger said. "I think there's something special among the players they've created and Patrick Vieira is part of that."
Wenger had told Vieira to decide his future before Saturday, when the Premier League season begins.
Vieira played a big role as Arsenal won the League last year, collecting 26 wins and 12 draws.
Arsenal have won three League titles and three FA Cups since 28-year-old Vieira, who was named French captain on Friday after Zinedine Zidane announced his international retirement, joined from AC Milan in 1996.
He has also been capped by France 72 times and was part of the winning World Cup team in 1998 and the European Championship team two years later.
