January target: Henry has failed to settle in
Barcelona
Mark Hughes will try to prise Thierry Henry from
Barcelona when the transfer window opens in January. Former Arsenal
striker Henry is expected to leave the Nou Camp after failing to
make an impact in Spain and Manchester City
boss Hughes has asked to be kept informed of
developments.
City desperately need a reliable forward to complement their
attacking midfielders because Hughes and his staff feel Brazilian
Jo, 20, will not come into his own for another year at least.
Henry, 31, has been at Barcelona for a little over a season but has
never settled and is keen to return to England. Last night Hughes
stressed City fans should be patient as he builds a team to
challenge for honours.
City lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool on Sunday and Hughes said:
‘What we need is that consistent level of performance and that
resoluteness to see games out and take something positive from
every game. ‘We are struggling on that point. We are a young team
in terms of experience and development but we will get better. ‘We
are still a team with obvious frailties and we will work to address
them when the transfer window opens.
‘It’s not a problem that expectations are suddenly high. People
are realistic in our development. We are only seven games into the
Premier League season, which has been fragmented with the
international breaks, and now we are into another one. It has been
difficult to get the benefit of clear weeks to work on the
team.’
Hughes will also try to buy a goalkeeper and a left back in
January. He said: ‘We made a statement of intent with the
acquisition of Robinho. We are in a position where I am sure we
will be able to attract the top players.’
