Arsenal are to report Real Madrid to FIFA over the Patrick Vieira saga.

The France midfielder opted to remain at Highbury last week, despite reports that he had agreed to join the Spanish side.

Arsenal were unhappy with the way in which Madrid conducted themselves and vice-chairman David Dein has said: “Patrick’s head was turned.

“He was compliant but it’s against FIFA rules to destabilise a player under contract. We will complain because rules are there to be respected.”

“He told Arsene and me in early June that he wanted to leave and go to Real Madrid,” Dein revealed.

“We obviously tried very hard to dissuade him, but his mind was very made up.

“We came within hours of losing him, maybe just an hour. Literally, just prior to signing off an agreement, he said ‘I cannot leave the club’.”