Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will decide in the next 48 hours whether to move for Patrick Vieira.

Vieira - currently at Inter Milan - has been omitted from the French squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with manager Raymond Domenech citing a lack of match fitness.

It is unlikely that Vieira will figure prominently in Jose Mourinho's plans at the San Siro and his return would give Wenger much-needed experience in central midfield and he would also benefit from Vieira's influence among the younger players in the squad.

In the long-term, Vieira, who was brought up under the Wenger philosophy and who became a World Cup winner with Arsenal for France, could be groomed for a coaching role, says the Sunday Mirror.