Former Arsenal And Villareal Player Robert Pires A Thai Premier League Target
Frenchman Robert Pires is currently training with Arsenal but could make a shock move to Thai Premier League club Muangthong United.
By James Goyder
Nov 10, 2010 7:23:00 AM

Robert Pires is in line for a shock return to football with Thai Premier League champions Muangthong United.

The 37 year-old midfielder is currently training with former team Arsenal after being released by Villarreal.

It appears Pires is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of Sol Campbell, who was given a short term contract by Wenger last season after training with the team on a similar basis.

However the former France international is desperate to prolong his playing career and could be tempted by the prospect of joining one of the top teams in South Asia.

Though he has been recently linked with English Premier League outfit Aston Villa, Robert Procureur - General Manager of Muangthong United - is hoping to sign Pires before next season (which starts in March).

“I have been searching for new players from Europe to join our squad next season," Procureur said. "I knew Robert Pires from when I visited Arsene Wenger a few years ago and I have already discussed with some people from Arsenal the possibility of bringing Pires to the Thai Premier League.

"At the moment we are interested in and will try hard to convince him to join Muangthong United."

Muangthong United recently won the Thai Premier League for the second successive season and are also in the final of the Thai FA Cup.

They reached the semi finals of the AFC Cup, the Asian equivalent of the Europa League and are looking to add at least one high profile player to their squad.

The club have also been strongly linked with Dwight Yorke and Jesper Blomqvist but Procureur feels that Pires would be the perfect signing,

“He is 37 years-old but I feel he still has the ability to play as last season he was in the Spanish league with Villarreal," he continued.

"He is a world class player and if he can join us next season it will be a great boost to our team."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2010/11/10/2206961/report-former-arsenal-and-villareal-player-robert-pires-a