Patrick Vieira did not go to Spain to discuss a multi-million pound transfer to Real Madrid, according to the player's Spanish-based representative.
The midfielder's future at Arsenal has been the subject of intense speculation since Tuesday when newspapers in the Spanish capital reported Vieira was in the city with agent Marc Roger to meet Real officials.
But Vieira's representative Santos Marquez, who was involved in Luis Figo's Stg£37million move to Real, said today: "I know Real Madrid are interested in the signing and there has been contact, but I am certain Real Madrid, being a gentlemanly club, would call Arsenal and agree a deal before negotiating with the player."
Marquez did not elaborate on when the contact took place, or which other parties were involved.
As for Roger, Marquez told Spanish newspaper Marca: "Marc was in Madrid to sort out some things with Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele but nothing else."
He added: "...if he (Vieira) was (in Madrid) then it must have been for personal motives and nothing related to football; people can do what they want on their day off, can't they?"
PA