Thierry: Going, going… Oh, hang on.
408 comments June 12th, 2007
Probably not going after all, then. Last night, the new edition of France Football provoked cross-continent consternation with its claims that Thierry Henry had reached an agreement for a three-year contract with Barcelona.
However, later the very same night, those claims were denied by Henry’s “people”.
Frankly, I’ve got no idea where this going. Of course Henry hasn’t agreed a deal with Barca, but that doesn’t mean they won’t seek to know his intentions before making an official bid. People can call that “tapping up” if they like everyone knows that that is simply how the business works.
I’ve got no factual basis for this, but my sneaking suspicion that Henry is holding out to see the extent of the clubs ambitions in the transfer market before firmly declarling his allegiance.
If there’s any doubt in Titi’s mind (and he hardly sounds certain), William Gallas reckons he should be off:
And as far as departures are concerned, if certain players want to go we should not prevent them from leaving.
I have to agree with him – if Henry decides he isn’t happy here, we’re better off without him.
Talks to sign Havard Nordveit have stalled over the fee being demanded by FK Haugesund. Apparently they want well over £1m – a bit pricey for a 16-year old centre-back.
Finally, it sounds like Arsene has picked up another confident keeper. After Jens Lehmman (“When I am physically fit and have nothing distracting me mentally, then nobody can match me for experience.”), comes Wookash Fabyanski:
“Lehmann and Almunia are very good, but I’m not afraid of anyone. I’m confident of my skills. I want to be first choice at Arsenal as much as they do. My message is clear – I’m ready to fight from day one.”
I say we decide it by fight to the death.