Wenger set to report Inter for Hleb hijack

Leading agent Vincenzo Morabito admitted the meeting had taken place but insisted that the pair had not had any dealings with Inter.

Morabito said: "It is true that Hleb saw Vigorelli and that they went out from the Media Felix hotel where Arsenal were staying but it is not true that they went to talk to Inter. They went for an ice cream. We are sorry that Mr Wenger took it badly and complained because we have a good relationship."

Morabito, who has worked with former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira, has often dealt with Premier League clubs and is also a director of the English agency First Artist.

Inter have become firm admirers of Hleb, while Barcelona are also considering a summer approach for the Belarussian.

The 26-year-old's contract expires in the summer of 2010, and although his agent, Uli Ferber, insists Hleb is happy at Emirates Stadium, he has yet to open discussions about extending his deal at the club.

Hleb's form this term has been excellent - he was outstanding as Arsenal became the first English team to beat European champions AC Milan at the San Siro - but it is not the first time that he has been involved in controversy regarding his position at Arsenal.

In February 2006 - just seven months after he had moved to the Premier League - Hleb was seen at a London restaurant with Michael Schroeder, the chief scout of Hamburg.

Wenger was prepared to let that matter pass as Hleb and Schroeder knew one another through Hleb's younger brother Vyacheslav, who used to play for Hamburg, but it is unlikely that the Frenchman will adopt such a lenient attitude towards Inter's alleged approach.

Arsenal have a reputation for giving short shrift to clubs who try to unsettle their players.

In 2005, the club complained to the Premier League about their bitter rivals Chelsea's "tapping-up" of England defender Ashley Cole, while Wenger has frequently had to fend off interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid for his star midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

In the past, former captains Vieira and Thierry Henry were also the frequent targets of approaches from some of the continent's biggest sides.

Meanwhile, Hleb's team-mate Tomas Rosicky is no closer to a return to action as he continues to struggle with a worrying hamstring problem.

The Czech Republic international has not played since the FA Cup victory over Newcastle on 26 January.