Henry closer to Arsenal exit

Everywhere you look its denials, denials. Despite that, French sports paper L'Equipe claims Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger traveled to Paris on yesterday to meet Barcelona financial director Ferran Soriano to discuss a swap deal for Samuel Eto'o.

The troubling part of the situation if you are an Arsenal fan, is that apparently Barcelona wants to buy Henry outright, this week Eto’o came out and spoke of his desire to play alongside Henry. Eto’o is a friend of Henry’s and the pair have spoken recently about playing together.

Contrary to previous speculation, Barcelona will only move Eto’o for Henry for a 10m pound fee. Originally the rumor was quite the opposite, with Barcelona paying a fee in the swap deal.
It appears that the initial offer for Henry is in the 20m pound range. Arsenal are demanding closer to 27m.

I guess we are seeing the burden of debt from the construction of The Emirates Stadium, Arsenal are looking for bargains and their biggest asset sees the writing on the wall.
Barcelona has gone as far as publicly stating in a French football magazine that the Henry move was a done deal. We’ve heard that kind of talk before, but the different elements converging here would indicate that it’s quite close to happening.

Stories keep circulating in Spanish papers that claim Barcelona has presented a three year contract offer with an option for a fourth worth 8m pounds a year.

If this deal happens with no Eto’o going the other way, it’s bad news, ‘rebuilding’ news. While Arsene Wenger is as good as anyone in the world at this, maybe the best, it’s going to be some time before Arsenal recover. In many ways this one is more damaging than Patrick Vieira leaving because there is nobody close to Henry’s level at the club to replace him. A great holding midfielder is one thing, but goals are another. Hold all you want but without goals you will be holding nothing but a certain appendage in your hand in mid-table.

Should an Eto’o swap take place, its throw your hats in the air time. Henry looks unmotivated, Eto’o could be a sensation in the Premiership, could, I mean almost certainly would. I have watched Eto’o since he was 18 and he has never done anything but improve. Pace, explosiveness, finishing, he is as good as Henry and will still grow.

A swap benefits Arsenal, make the deal Arsene.