PATRICK VIEIRA has been lined up to become coach of French club Nice.
The Arsenal icon was contacted by Gunners chiefs as part of their quest to find a new boss to succeed Arsene Wenger.
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However Vieira, 41, is understood to believe his old club only made a token gesture in approaching him.
And the France World Cup winner has now been tempted by the prospect of Ligue 1 high-flyers Nice.
The Riviera club are set to lose their coach Lucien Favre, with the Swiss due to take charge at Borussia Dortmund this summer.
And sources in Nice claim ex-midfielder Vieira had a meeting with club officials to convince them to offer him the job.
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Senegal-born Vieira is currently coach of MLS club New York City FC.
He began his senior playing career just up the coast from Nice at Cannes, where he captained the side aged 19.
PAT DOWN Arsenal ‘contact Patrick Vieira’ over vacant manager’s job but legend is left disappointed by ‘token gesture’
Vieira won a move to AC Milan in 1995 before joining Arsenal a year later for £3.5million – coinciding with Wenger’s arrival at Highbury.
The 6ft 4ins powerhouse spent nine glorious seasons with the Gunners, winning three Premier League titles and three FA Cups, before a move to Juventus in 2005.
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He went on to play for Inter Milan and Manchester City before retiring in 2011, and has coached City’s American sister club since 2015.
Nice are currently sixth in Ligue 1, and they finished third last season.
The historic club has won four league titles – all in the 1950s – and three French Cups.
They moved into the 35,000-capacity Allianz Riviera stadium five years ago.
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