Former B.C. Lions receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux is expected to be a Minnesota Viking as soon as Monday, when his representative and the NFL team meet to put a deal in writing.
Arceneaux Tweeted on Saturday afternoon that he was "signing with the Vikings" after earlier narrowing his choice down to Minnesota, Seattle, Miami and Chicago.
Reached on Saturday, Vikings director of player personnel, George Paton, said the team did not have Arceneaux under contract but hoped to complete a deal early this week.
"I think we're close but we haven't signed anything," said Paton. "We'll talk to his agent Monday and try to get it solidified."
A source said Arceneaux is due to receive a $75,000 signing bonus and a contract that could be worth as much as $1.8 million over three years. The contract is similar to the one signed last week by former Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Tom Johnson. Both players are represented by the same agent.
The 23-year-old Arceneaux had three 100-yard games and caught 67 passes for five touchdowns on the way to a 1,114-yard season with the Lions in 2010. He posted 63 receptions for 858 yards, and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2009.
Alcorn State star worked out for eight NFL teams over the last two weeks and has decided to focus on the Vikings, Dolphins, Seahawks, and Bears.
Arceneaux is one of at least three CFL receivers who have worked out for the Vikings off-season, along with Saskatchewan's Andy Fantuz and Montreal's S.J. Green. Green re-signed with Montreal last week while there is speculation among CFL sources that Fantuz may be close to signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A source said that as of Friday, there was no deal in place between Fantuz and the Steelers, who play the New York Jets in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
