France striker David Trezeguet believes compatriot and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira could soon join him at Juventus. It's on the news wires, so it must be true, eh? Well, manager Arsène Wenger doesn't think so.

"He is a great player and it's clear that it would please him to play at Juventus," Trezeguet was quoted as saying in the Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday.

Vieira has been linked with a return to Italian football countless times, but there is no sign or report of Trezeguet being involved in any negotiations!

"I have spoken to Patrick and he asked me for information about Turin," Trezeguet said.

"Myself and Lilian [Thuram] have invited him to join us, speaking of all the nice opportunities here. However, I believe that [Zinedine] Zidane has also spoken highly of Real Madrid."

An angry Wenger makes it clear that there is no reason to leave: "I find these comments annoying. I don't see what more Juventus is than Arsenal."

"We'll see his decision but I believe Wenger will have an important role," Trezeguet says. Well, he's right in that respect. More at Soccernet.

Rupe adds...
BBC football irritant Mark Lawrenson has been echoing Trezeguet's claims on Irish radio. Arseweb reader Brian Padden heard him on Today FM's football talk show....

"he heard from a very good source inside Highbury, and he stated that the source was reliable, that PV had been given a lot of money to stay this year, and that he would definitely be off to Juventus next season. He then went on to say how a team couldn't be expected to play well if there was such instability in the side, AW's contract etc. etc.".

Well exactly Mark, that's why people like you keep going on about it, isn't it??
While Vieira may indeed leave us in the summer, the idea that it is decided already is plainly ridiculous.