Barca 'in talks to sign Henry'

turbo_drift SG

Reports in the Catalan media claim that Barcelona have opened talks over the possible transfer of Arsenal captain Thierry Henry.

Radio station Onda Cero reports that the two clubs have engaged in dialogue and that the French international star could cost Los Cules 20million (£13.6million).

According to the Catalan media outlet, Gunners vice-captain Gilberto could also be a target for the two-time European champions and coach Frank Rijkaard.

Henry spurned the chance to move to Camp Nou last summer, pledging his long-term future to Arsenal in the process, but speculation regarding his future has refused to die down after a difficult season for the North Londoners.

Serie A champions Internazionale are widely credited with a strong interest in The Gunners' all-time record goalscorer, whilst a possible switch to Barcelona remains a favourite refrain of the continent's rumour-mongers.

Catalan daily El Mundo Deportivo has also added fuel to the fire by claiming that Barcelona are again open to pursuing the three-time Footballer of the Year should he seek pastures new.

Both Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o currently have doubts surrounding their futures, and Henry is certainly one of the few players in world football who enjoys a similar status to the two Barca stars.

However, the Gunners skipper has always maintained he is committed to the North London club, and on Saturday stated his future is inextricably linked to that of his manager Arsene Wenger.

David Dein's shock departure has led to speculation over the position of the Frenchman, but Wenger has stated he will not leave Emirates Stadium before the expiration of his contract in 2008.

Oh noes.. Shocked

felirox SG

Barca is shit. stop all this damn rumours.

Xtrider SG

i hope he goes…but i dun he will la..rumour nia..

jianfish9 SG

If we trust the spanish press then every single good player will be in the La Liga.

But then Arsenal doing pretty well without Henry after all.

felirox SG

but still arsenal need him. henry might be better nxt season. so its a great loss if henry sign for barca

dragg SG

henry should leave for barca for the sake of his own career.

by the time the youngsters at arsenal 'grow' into a force henry will be over the hill.

glacer SG

Henry seems frustrated with Arsenal this season. They are really under-performing but i think that Henry will give Arsenal another chance next season. Go Go Gunners

turbo_drift SG

Barca won't discard Henry

Barcelona have not discounted making another bid to sign Arsenal captain Thierry Henry in the summer.

Reports in the Spanish media on Saturday claimed the Liga champions were plotting another raid on Emirates Stadium for the striker.

Speaking after Barca's 2-0 win at Real Sociedad, sporting director Txiki Beguiristain suggested the club could lodge an offer for Henry.

But Beguiristain also conceded that the Catalan giants may opt against revisiting old ground, following last summer's failed bid for the Frenchman.

"Now it is the moment only to speak about our race for La Liga," Beguiristain told Spanish journalists.

"I have to admit that the French player has not been discarded.

"It is a subject that is necessary to evaluate.

"If the future looks very good and brilliant, we do not need to look at the past."

Henry, though, has revealed he sees his future with The Gunners, providing Arsene Wenger stays as manager following vice-chairman David Dein's recent exit.

turbo_drift SG

Reports in the Spanish media claim Barcelona president Joan Laporta is optimistic of luring Thierry Henry to the club this summer.

Despite strenuous denials from the player himself, speculation linking Henry with a move away from Arsenal refuses to subside and fresh reports quote Laporta as being confident of securing the highly sought after target.

Catalunya Radio claim negotiations are ongoing with The Gunners but an initial accord has already been struck between the two clubs.

Barcelona have not made an official comment but are long-term admirers of the player, who has experienced a disappointing 2006/07 campaign.

A series of injuries has forced Henry to sit out the end of The Gunners' season, with his last appearance coming back in March against PSV Eindhoven.