French international Robert Pires will decide in the next week whether to join Arsenal or Real Madrid in a £6 million deal.

The 27-year-old Marseille striker has been a Highbury target for more than a month and now the European champions have entered the race to sign him.

'I have two propositions to consider,' said Pires. 'At Madrid I could find the same kind of atmosphere that I have had at Marseille. In London I would be able to link up again with Arsene Wenger.

I am waiting to see if Marc Overmars will be joining Lazio before I make my choice.'