Clubs alerted as Pires talks stall

Arsenal's negotiations with Robert Pires have stalled over the club's refusal to improve on an offer of a one-year extension for the French forward.

Arsene Wenger has been in discussions with the 32-year-old but is reluctant to offer him a two-year deal. Pires, who has 12 months to run on his current contract, is now affected by the club's cautious policy towards its players over 30.

However, Pires is seeking more security and has made it plain he is unwilling to prolong his Highbury career on the basis of a one-year contract extension. That has alerted Inter Milan, who tried to sign him in 2003, as well as Barcelona and Valencia.

Arsenal are aware of their rivals' interest and due to his age and the length left on his deal, would have to make any sale for much less than the £6million they paid Marseille in 2000.

However, Arsenal are hopeful that the planned move to a 60,000-seat stadium in 2006 will see Pires rethink and commit to a 12-month extension.

Pires, though, has already considered that and the chance to move to either of the other biggest leagues in Europe would appeal to him.

Of perhaps greater concern to Arsenal fans are reports that Real Madrid have joined Barcelona in expressing an interest in Thierry Henry. The striker has two years left on his contract and although the vice-chairman David Dein said two weeks ago Henry was not for sale, that has not deterred Spain's two biggest clubs.

Barcelona have also been linked to Chelsea defender William Gallas who is unhappy playing at full back, preferring central defence. Chelsea, however have described Gallas as "integral" to their plans for the defence of the Premiership title.

It is understood that Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon met the Barcelona president Joan Laporta last week to discuss possible transfers with the Chelsea man exploring the possibility of a move for the Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

However, Eto'o has become hugely popular at Barcelona with 24 league goals since his transfer from Real Mallorca and Laporta is aware that selling a man second only to Ronaldinho in the crowd's hearts would be politically troublesome.

Steven Gerrard has reiterated his desire to remain at Liverpool though he is still waiting to begin talks with the European champions over a new contract. Gerrard said he wanted his future sorted before the start of the new season."

Villarreal's Spanish international goalkeeper Jose Reina is due to complete a £6million move to Liverpool on July 1st and Rafael Benitez is still undecided whether to sign Luis Figo who has been offered by Real Madrid.

The Anfield club are also expected to improve their original £5million offer for England striker Peter Crouch.

Meanwhile, Andy O'Brien will join his new club Portsmouth for pre-season training when he returns from holiday after completing a £2million move from Newcastle United and signing a four-year contract with Alain Perrin's side.

Despite signing a contract extension at St James' Park less than six months ago, it had become increasingly obvious in recent weeks that the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international had little future at the club where Graeme Souness had made no secret of his desire to bring in at least one more centre back during the close season.

Alex Ferguson has been on a secret mission to persuade the Nigerian teenager John Obi Mikel not to dump Manchester United in favour of Chelsea.

Mikel is already the subject of a Fifa inquiry because of the tug-of-war between England's two most powerful clubs, but Ferguson wanted to investigate for himself claims that the midfielder had turned his back on Old Trafford because he had been "intimidated and coerced into acting against his wishes".

Ferguson and Jim Ryan, United's youth academy director, intended to speak to Mikel after he had played for Nigeria against Brazil in the World Youth Championships.

Ferguson will hope the proposed transfer of Park Ji-sung from PSV Eindhoven is a much less complicated affair, but he will be acutely aware Chelsea are now reportedly interested in the South Korean midfielder.