Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will watch with interest tonight to see if Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit are reunited in midfield for favourites France in the Euro 2000 semi-final against Portugal.

Perhaps if fit-again Petit is restored to coach Roger Lemerre's line-up after missing the quarter-final victory over Spain with a knee injury, the Highbury boss may have reason to savour the spectacle.

For as one of the most absorbing international tournaments in living memory nears its conclusion, so the possibility increases that either Petit or Vieira will not be at Highbury next season.

Wenger confirmed last night that the £6million transfer of Brazil midfielder Edu is becoming more likely as the 22-year-old playmaker prepared to fly to London from his club Corinthians for a medical.

On the surface, Wenger's motive is merely to strengthen his squad as he tries to close the gap that grew last season between his side and Premiership champions Manchester United.

But Wenger is acutely aware of Petit's increasing unhappiness with life in English football and of the fact that Juventus continue to ponder a serious move for Vieira.

Suggestions in the Italian media yesterday that Arsenal had agreed to sell Vieira to Juve for £14m were knocked down at both Highbury and at the Stadio delle Alpi and, in a perfect world, the Gunners simply would not sell.

But even in the marble halls money talks and a heavyweight bid from a club that has already signed Vieira's countryman David Trezeguet from Monaco this week would be hard to resist, particularly given Wenger's need to purchase a long-term replacement for the ageing Tony Adams and a reliable goalscorer to play understudy to Thierry Henry.

Vieira has repeated his desire to remain at Highbury - despite the fact that he is curious about the possibilities of playing once more with his former AC Milan teammate Edgar Davids - while Wenger confesses to irritation at constant speculation about the two players who have done as much as any to shape the modern Arsenal.

Certainly, last night's confirmation that Edu's transfer is nearing a conclusion will do much to calm the nerves of Arsenal supporters, who are keen to see tangible signs that Wenger is financially committed to developing a side that under-performed so disappointingly in the Premiership last season.

A former team-mate of Arsenal left back Silvinho, Edu's arrival in London - presuming the transfer goes smoothly - will owe much to the fact that the diminutive defender settled so well in England following his £4m move last summer.

News of Edu's departure has angered supporters of Corinthians and the player himself said last night: 'I must admit that I am surprised.

'I didn't expect to be leaving but Arsenal have offered me the earth. I go away but I am always going to have Corinthians in my heart. I am happy for the good things that I did here. One day I will be back.'

Wenger is also showing an interest in Brazilian defender Edmilson, of Sao Paulo, but tonight his thoughts will turn to Euro 2000 as France seek to justify once more just why they currently carry the tag of the best team in the world.

Petit has expressed his readiness to return to action in Brussels but Lemerre may prefer to remain true to the midfield quartet of Vieira, Christophe Dugarry, Youri Djorkaeff and Chelsea's Didier Deschamps that allowed Zinedine Zidane to paint such wonderful patterns behind lone striker Henry against Spain in Sunday's quarter-final.

Certainly, Portugal, whose defence has been as obdurate as their attack has been expressive, will fancy their chances of keeping the might of the French at bay, given that nobody has breached them since Steve McManaman scored England's second goal of the opening game more than two weeks ago.

But Zidane's influence grows by the game, prompting Vieira to say last night: 'He has always been my hero, an example to every young player in France. He lifts us so much.'