Vieira: Wenger is desperate to keep him midfield lynchpin (ChrisLobina/Allsport)

Vieira and Arsenal manager Wenger met yesterday amid speculation that the Frenchman is planning to quit north London either for Manchester United or Barcelona.

The Highbury boss hopes that Vieira, frustrated at the lack of Arsenal success in the last three years, can be placated by the arrival of midfield support in van Bronckhorst and the increasing likelihood that Sol Campbell will cross north London from Tottenham.

Arsenal's move for van Bronckhurst will come as a huge blow to Chelsea, who have been chasing the Dutchman since midway through last season.

It is thought that manager Claudio Ranieri wanted to pair van Bronckhorst with West Ham's England midfielder Frank Lampard. Lampard flies home early from holiday today to discuss an £11million move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are thought to have been reluctant to meet Rangers' asking price for a player who moved to Ibrox for £5.2m from Feyenoord in 1998. But Arsenal, fearing the departure of Vieira, have set up a deal for van Bronckhorst to show their intent.

At the same time Wenger will meet the board today to reveal the demands from Vieira to stay for the last two years of his contract.

Arsenal's directors have already given Wenger permission to spend what is necessary to clinch the signing of Campbell.

The England centre back is believed to have had talks for three hours with Liverpool officials in London on Monday but the feeling is that he still favours the controversial switch to Highbury.

Wenger is ready to alter the structure of his side - as well as the Highbury wages policy - and switch to a back three system to use Campbell alongside Martin Keown and Tony Adams.