Barca close in on Henry deal

Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano confirmed to Spanish sports newspaper Marca that talks over a reported £16million deal were at an "advanced" stage. However, Soriano did reveal it was "the wish of all parties" for an agreement to be reached for the transfer of Henry, who could be presented as a Barca player on Monday.

The Barca vice-president also insisted they waited for the green light from Arsenal before making their move for the 29-year-old striker, who is the Gunners' all-time record goalscorer. He said: "We don't want to point a gun at anybody. We have good relationships with the European clubs."

Henry, 29, is Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer, but admitted the shock exit of vice-chairman David Dein last season had been unsettling for everyone at the club.

Manager Arsene Wenger - whose own future remains uncertain - had hoped to convince his talisman to remain at the club, confident the squad could again compete for honours both at home and abroad.

It is just over 12 months ago that Henry agreed a lucrative new deal with Arsenal and declared his intention to see out his playing days at the Emirates Stadium following an emotional Champions League final defeat to - ironically - Barcelona.

The rumours, however, refused to go away - growing in intensity after Henry revealed his disappointment at Dein's departure.

The 29-year-old recently admitted he was flattered to be linked with European champions AC Milan, but poured scorn on reports he had already agreed a deal with Barca.

Henry, who missed the final two months of last season through injury, said less than a fortnight ago: "Last season, people were announcing all over the place that I was leaving.

"Some people wrote that it would happen for sure but at the end of the day I stayed at Arsenal. It could be the same this year. I have not taken any decision and my name is not up on any departures board. If something happens, I will tell everybody."