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Henry bound for Barcelona

RSS / / 23 June 2007 /

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Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will undergo a medical on Monday before signing a four-year deal with Barcelona.

The Spanish giants confirmed on Friday that the 29-year-old was on the brink of completing a £16million switch to the Primera Liga, with Nou Camp vice-president Ferran Soriano revealing to Spanish sports newspaper Marca that talks were at an "advanced" stage.

"I still must pass a medical on Monday but yes, I have chosen Barcelona," Henry told French sports daily L'Equipe on Saturday.

Soriano added it was "the wish of all parties" for an agreement to be reached for the transfer of the World Cup winner.
The shock loss of their talisman could impact on Arsenal's chances of winning their first Premiership title since 2004, with the Gunners available to back at 11.5 on Betfair's "Barclays Premiership - Winner 2007/08" market.

France international Henry only signed a new four-year deal with the Gunners last summer but, in an open letter to The Sun newspaper, explained that his decision to leave was prompted by the shock departure of vice-chairman David Dein and continuing doubts over the future of manager Arsene Wenger.

"Arsene has been part of my life for as long as I can remember," he wrote.
"Unfortunately and understandably he has said that at this moment he will not commit to the club past the expiration of his current deal which finishes at the end of the coming season.

"I respect his decision and his honesty but I will be 31 at the end of next season and I cannot take the chance to be there without Arsene Wenger and David Dein.

"This is solely my decision, no-one has forced me to do anything and I will represent myself in this transaction. I feel it is something I just had to do," added the former Monaco and Juventus man, who bagged a club-record 226 goals in 364 appearances for the Gunners.

Barcelona hope the acquisition of Henry will help their quest to wrestle their Primera Liga crown back from Real Madrid next season. Barca are the 2 favourites on Betfair's emerging "Primera Division - Winner 2007/08" market, with Real available to back at 2.14.

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