Wenger: Hleb deal is close

Arsene Wenger says Aleksander Hleb's move from Stuttgart to Arsenal will happen within the next few days.

The German club have set a deadline of Sunday to do a deal for the £8m-rated Belarus international midfielder.

Manager Wenger said: "The transfer will be done soon. He'll be good in our team."

Arsenal's first offer of £4.75m for the player was turned down.

However, Wenger was encouraged when the Bundesliga club said Hleb was free to speak to Arsenal.

But Stuttgart - who will move for Real Madrid star Luis Figo if Hleb goes - also stressed they wanted any deal finalised by the start of next week.

Chairman Herbert Briem said: "We have an ultimatum that anything must be done by Sunday. If there is nothing by then, there will be no deal."