Villarreal are favourites to land Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires.
The Sun says Pires has agreed a two-year contract at Villarreal worth £50,000 a week with an option of a further year.
Pires is a free agent at the end of the season and a Villarreal spokesman claimed he has already signed a pre-contract agreement.
He said: "It was incredible to us that a brilliant talent like Pires was being allowed to go out of contract."
Pires was keen to stay in London but wanted the security of a two-year deal. However, Arsenal refuse to give players over 30 more than 12-month contracts.
Earlier this week Pires admitted: "I've received offers from England, Scotland, Portugal and Spain but it's good to have a range of options on the table."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refuses to change club policy. He said: "He's approaching his 33rd birthday and as he gets older he simply has to accept a short-term contract. It's sad but footballers' careers 'die' young!"
The Sun says Pires has agreed a two-year contract at Villarreal worth £50,000 a week with an option of a further year.
Pires is a free agent at the end of the season and a Villarreal spokesman claimed he has already signed a pre-contract agreement.
He said: "It was incredible to us that a brilliant talent like Pires was being allowed to go out of contract."
Pires was keen to stay in London but wanted the security of a two-year deal. However, Arsenal refuse to give players over 30 more than 12-month contracts.
Earlier this week Pires admitted: "I've received offers from England, Scotland, Portugal and Spain but it's good to have a range of options on the table."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refuses to change club policy. He said: "He's approaching his 33rd birthday and as he gets older he simply has to accept a short-term contract. It's sad but footballers' careers 'die' young!"
