Here's one of those player interviews from foreign papers, which you may find selectively quoted in the English press to support their going on about Vieira moving to Real Madrid. What is clear is that the interviewer was thinking about Paddy moving there, but to his credit the player doesn't take the bait. And he does go so far as to say that he's very happy now.

It was conducted with Patrick Vieira's by Spanish sports daily Marca at Arsenal's training ground.

You can find it in Spanish on the Marca website, and appears heer in a tranlsation kindly provided by Julio Romo.

Marca: This is a special year
PV: Yes. Arsenal are more ambitious than ever. There is the league, the Champions and then there is the World Cup, which is very important
M: What is your aim for the World Cup and how do you see Spain?
PV: The only aim is to win it again. Spain have a good team, and have options. Amongst the European teams and next to France I would include Portugal, England and Italy as the main candidates to win the World Cup.
M: You've already played in France, Italy and England and only got Germany and Spain left. What do you view as the differences between the leagues?
PV: I arrived in England and this is where I have won silverware. I've also become an international and won the World Cup, but it is difficult to say if I will play in other leagues. In England people love football, they are stronger fans. However, In Italy if the team does well there is no problem but if it doesn't... The players that I know who are in Spain say that things are good.
M: How is it that you did not win in Italy?
PV: When I arrived in Milan I was young, 19 or 20. I didn't want to wait as I wanted to develop and play. The world cup was close and I would not of played if I had stayed in Italy.
M: Wenger is the key to your career.
PV: He brought me from Milan, gave me my confidence and with him I have developed. He is the main reason why I am the player that I am.
M: Did you know that Zidane always speaks very highly of you in Madrid?
PV: Zidane is an amazing player, the best in the world and if he speaks highly of me then it is something to be pleased about.
M: You couldn't have a better ambassador.
PV: You're right, to have somebody who speaks so highly of me in Madrid is amazing.
M: Do you imagine that you will play with him in the same club?
PV: You never know, but why not? It could happen. You can never say never. At the moment is not what I think about, but it could happen.
M: Was is a bad thing for him to suddenly become the most expensive player in the world?
PV: No. He is the best player in the world and if you want the best player then you have to pay the price. Zidane is worth it.
M: When you speak with him in the French team, do you see him happy in Madrid?
PV: Yes, of course. There were problems in the begging for him but he is happy now.
M: We all know the price of Figo, Zidane and Rivaldo. How much are you worth?
PV: I have no idea. Those are things for presidents and business people. We are human beings and I do not like to speak about things like that.
M: How would your ideal player be?
PV: Somebody with the game of Zidane and the skill of Raul.
M: What image do you have of Raul?
PV: I don't know him as a person, but as a player he is exceptional. He has scored a lot of goals in such short period of time. For a player of his age he has an amazing CV. He is certainly one of the best 5 players in the world.
M: Who would you give the golden boot to: Raul, Owen, Henry, Effenberg?
PV: Its very difficult so see who stand out this year. Effenberg won the Champions League but he isn't my favourite player.
M: Who are the best players in the world in their position?
PV: I would say Helguera and Davids, they are great. They are modern midfielders to take part a lot in the game. In today's football you need players that not just steal the ball but also know how to play the game.
M: The players that the Real Madrid most would like to see at the club are you and Shevchenko.
PV: That is great. Even though my contract expires in 2004 I am very happy now, but you never know. In football anything could happen.
M: Why do you have so many problems with referees in England?
PV: I suffer quite a bit in England, I am wound up by other player, and over here the referees tend to punish more the players that retaliate than the players who commit the fouls. At an international level or in France or Italy I never experienced that.
M: Your favourite club for the Champions.
PV: Real Madrid.
M: Only?
PV: Yes, but that means that there are more opportunities for other clubs.