Pires linked with Real deal

Robert Pires (top right) is Madrid bound

European champions Real Madrid have reportedly signed French international Robert Pires to a five-year deal.

The midfielder, who announced recently that he would be an Arsenal player by the start of the new season, is said to have sent a representative to Madrid on Friday to negotiate the deal.

Spanish newspaper Marca stated on Saturday morning that the Marseille player will move on 30 June for a fee of £6.3m.

The 27-year-old Pires, whose mother is Spanish, was previously targetted by Real in 1997 while he was with French first division side Metz, but the Spanish giants lost out to Marseille.

Real are reported to have set their sights on Pires after the failure to sign midfielder Claude Makelele from Spanish rivals Celta Vigo, who was judged to be too expensive.