Contract talks between Arsenal and Robert Pires have broken down, with the Gunners reportedly considering selling the France midfielder this summer. The club have offered a one-year extension to the 32-year-old, whose deal expires at the end of next season.
But he wants two more years and Arsenal may opt to cash in now rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2006.
Valencia and Lyon are among the clubs interested in him and Pires has spoken about finishing his career in Spain.
He joined Arsenal from Marseille for �6m in July 2000 and has scored 73 goals in 232 games for the club.
The Frenchman finished last season in good form, ending up with 17 goals.
But boss Arsene Wenger does not like to offer long contracts to players over 30 and said in April: "He will be 33 next year and we will go from year to year."
After the emergence of youngsters like Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini, and with the Gunners looking to bring VfB Stuttgart's Aleksander Hleb to Highbury, Pires could now be set to leave.
MMIX
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