Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane says his France international team mate Patrick Vieira would be an ideal addition to the Spanish club's midfield if he were to leave Arsenal.

"As for Vieira, I believe that if Vieira and Makelele were at Madrid, that would be perfect," Zidane told reporters at the team's training site in southwest China.

Claude Makelele, also a France international, already plays alongside Zidane in the Real midfield.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has again reiterated that he is close to signing Vieira to a new long-term contract to replace the existing deal which runs out at the end of season.

"As for his contract, I am confident he will sign before the start of the season," Wenger was quoted as saying in Wednesday's edition of London's Evening Standard paper.

Should there be a problem with the contract negotiations, Arsenal may be tempted to cash in on the 27-year-old now rather than let him leave the club next year for nothing as a free agent.

Vieira is currently convalescing after undergoing an operation on his knee, but Wenger is hoping that he will be able to play in a friendly against Celtic on Saturday.

"Of course we will need to see him, but the news from France where he has had three weeks of hard work after the operation is very positive," the Frenchman added. "I am looking for him to perhaps play one half against Celtic."

Vieira, who was voted Britain's best foreign import this week by a panel of former managers and players, would fetch up to 25 million pounds ($39.65 million) on the transfer market.

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