O`LEARY: VIEIRA SAGA COULD HARM ARSENAL

The French international has reportedly demanded a transfer away from Highbury, but The Gunners have stood firm stating that he will honour his contract.

Leeds boss O`Leary has first-hand experience of such a problem, when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink demanded a transfer away from Elland Road during the summer of 1999.

The Irishman claimed the problems with the now Chelsea striker caused mistrust and damaged morale in the squad - and he feels the same will happen at Highbury.

Speaking in his Sunday People column, O`Leary said: "Arsene Wenger might be one of my fiercest rivals, but I wouldn't wish Patrick Vieira's behaviour this summer on any manager.

"Arsenal are confidently insisting Patrick will honour his contract and that the matter is closed. I hope they are right, but in my experience these things can often rumble on under the surface.

"Already, Vieira and his agent have undermined his manager and his club.

"It must have cast a huge cloud over Arsenal at a time when you want to be looking forward to the new season with confidence and optimism. And no matter how many denials follow, it's only natural that it can damage morale and that there will be unrest, mistrust and uncertainty about how it will be concluded."

O`Leary compared the Vieira situation to another famous Frenchman`s acrimonious exit from North London.

"Arsenal are making all the right noises by insisting Vieira must stay, and they are right to do so. But that's easier said than done.

"They said they wouldn't sell Nicolas Anelka when they found themselves in the same boat with him a couple of years ago. In the end he went for £23 million.

"When you are faced with that kind of a scenario that's exactly what you have to do - get as much money for the player as you can.

"At least, that way, there's something to be gained from the mess.

"For when one of your best players tells you he wants to go, it's a depressing situation for any manager.

"I've been there, done that and got the T-shirt - and it's got Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's name plastered across it. We £12 million for Jimmy when he went to Spain. We didn't want him to go, but in the end selling him was the only realistic solution."

O`Leary feels the balance of power is shifting, to the detriment of the game.

"I'm all for having a balance, with the power split equally between club and player," he said. "But these days a player can sign for five years, then create merry hell and be off within weeks.

"I'm afraid, players' contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on.

"If a player wants to leave, you're not going to be able to hold on to him. It's a frightening reality of the modern game.

"If you try to keep him to his contract, it can damage the dressing room morale and contaminate the rest of the squad. That's counter-productive and a dangerous road to go down.

"And, whatever they say, that's why Arsenal must be desperately worried about Vieira's position."

O`Leary, meanwhile, has insisted that he did not get involved in a bidding war for Sol Campbell, as he feels his Elland Road defence is strong enough.

Campbell ended up moving to Arsenal from Tottenham but, despite it being a Bosman free transfer, O`Leary was never tempted to enter the race.

"I`ve already got enough top-class central defenders, including, of course, Sol`s England partner Rio Ferdinand, as well as Dominic Matteo, Lucas Radebe and Jonathon Woodgate.

"Rather than get involved in a salary auction for Sol, we paid £18 million for Rio last season and I am more than happy with our return so far."

A player who could be on his way from Highbury is Nigerian forward Kanu, who has been linked with Spanish side Malaga.

The former Internazionale man has found it hard to cement a regular starting place, and with Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord, Francis Jeffers and Dennis Bergkamp all battling for selection, his opportunities could be limited even further.

Malaga are interested in the player, but a combination of wage demands and Arsenal`s valuation of the player could prove to be a major stumbling block.

Malaga president Serafin Roldan said: "Right now the transfer for Kanu is far from possible."

The Gunners, meanwhile, have thus far been thwarted in their efforts to sign Birmingham City`s French youngster Tresor Luntala.

The 19-year-old midfielder has shone in The Blues` academy since a transfer from Rennes, and Arsenal have had the player watched on numerous occasions.

Birmingham are well aware of Arsenal`s interest, but do not want to sell the cultured playmaker at this stage in his career.