[Archived] Summer Transfer Window

[tcj_jones]

You can't just sell a player like Henry and not have a plan in place to bring in a replacement. I reckon they've already contacted Athletico over signing Torres, but have at least two or three that they are very confident of signing.

[RevidgeBlue]

The price for Henry is being quoted as 24m Euros or 16m quid.

Shocking deal for Arsenal when you consider that West Ham were prepared to pay 17m for Bent. How the hell are they going to replace him for anything like that price?. Has someone been on the pop in the Arsenal Boardroom? (hic)

The only thing I can think of is that Henry might have insisted on "a clause" when he negotiated his new deal last summer. Even that seems doubtful as Arsenal would have been off their rocker to agree to risk losing up to 34m in 12 months on a player they could comfortably have sold for 40-50m just 12 months ago.

It all seems to be slowly unravelling at Arsenal, Viera gone, Dein gone, Henry gone, Wenger and Fabregas to follow?

Bad news for English football we've lost the talents of Henry. Good news for half the Premiership in that there's likely to be two Champions League spots realistically up for grabs next season if Rafa also extends his unimpressive league record at Anfield.

...................Cue a weekend of Benni telling us how much he's always admired Arsene Wenger and how much he wants to play for the Arsenal.

[jim mk2]

Can't see it. Wenger doesn't sign 29 year olds.

I know Arsenal fans will be in despair but they have had the best years out of Henry. It will be interesting to see who they go for now. Michael Owen?

28-year-old Anelka is being touted as returning to Arsenal. And Owen is 28 in November.

[grizfoot]

£16million for Henry is a bargain!

Probably because neither Chelsea or West Ham or involved the price hasn't be inflated.

But still it will be sad to see Henry leave the Premiership even if he does seem to always score against us.

[RevidgeBlue]

Suppose Henry's move will mean Gudjohnsen being even more surplus to requirements than before at the Nou Camp.

[Flopsy]

£16million for Henry is a bargain!

Probably because neither Chelsea or West Ham or involved the price hasn't be inflated.

But still it will be sad to see Henry leave the Premiership even if he does seem to always score against us.

a 30 year old with Ciatica (sp) a great bit of business for Arsenal

[AlanK]

Always a shame for football fans when great players leave the league.

Can`t believe the price for the life of me.

[T4E]

a 30 year old with Ciatica (sp) a great bit of business for Arsenal

You must be congratulated on continually taking idiocy to new heights Floppy

[modes98]

You must be congratulated on continually taking idiocy to new heights Floppy

He certainly had it but the question is does he still have it? A difficult season has passed with many an injury to boot and a first season in spain awaits. One of the best strikers to grace the premiership but has his time passed as one of the greatest of our time?

[HairwayToSteven]

a 30 year old with Ciatica (sp) a great bit of business for Arsenal

I lost almost all of my previous respect for Henry the day he started to dive, i.e the dive in France vs. Spain trying to get Puyol sent off (plus inside penalty area diving in other games), shameful to say the very least. Also, I think his and Whinger's criticism of the refs decisions in the CL final was abysmal and beyond reason.

[RevidgeBlue]

a 30 year old with Ciatica (sp) a great bit of business for Arsenal

Unusually for him Henry had a bad time with injuries last season.

I don't think you can place him in the same sort of bracket as someone who seems to be continually injury prone like Michael Owen.

If you could we'd be sending Jason Roberts off to the knackers yard as well..............

[tcj_jones]

Reading the Arsenal messageboards, the fans really have taken this badly, more so than I expected.

With Eto'o looking as though he'll be staying at Barca and Liverpool and Athletico pricing Arsenal out of a move for Torres (didn't realise that Athletico have a £27.5 million release clause that they will insist is met) it is looking a bit bleak at Arsenal. Apparently the club are also very much skint and will not be spending big at all this summer. Van Persie is a superb player but, aside from him, there is precious little quality there up front. Walcott, Vela and Bendtner all look great prospects, but they aren't ready yet.

I wonder whether this deal will see Gudjohnsen or a Barca youngster heading in the other direction. £16 million plus Gudjohnsen wouldn't be quite as bad a deal.

Also, take a minute to imagine a Barca front line of Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Henry. Oh, and with Messi on the bench...

[T4E]

He certainly had it but the question is does he still have it? A difficult season has passed with many an injury to boot and a first season in spain awaits. One of the best strikers to grace the premiership but has his time passed as one of the greatest of our time?

His goal at Ewood last season would suggest not.

TCJ - don't forget Deco and Iniesta! Barca are playing pure fantasy football.

[herbergeehh]

Its £16m - €24m.

To put that in perspective, it is -

£15m less than Man United paid for Rio Ferdinand

Game, set and match.

[tcj_jones]

A VERY interesting article from the Independent today today: LINK

This article suggests that it was, in fact, Wenger that brokered the deal, which was left to the approval of the Arsenal board, and that, at the last minute, Inter came in with an offer of Adriano + cash.

Something isn't right here. Arsenal must have something up their sleaves, or there must have been some kind of clause or gentleman's agreement between Wenger and Henry if Barca came knocking again this season. £16.2 million or Adriano + cash? You'd have to choose the latter.

It makes me wonder even more whether Gudohnsen will be part of this deal.

EDIT: the article also suggests that Arsenal are after Martins, who has a £13 million release clause, and Owen, who is available for £9 million. Ryan Babbel of Ajax is another name in the frame. I know little of the last name, but the other two aren't in the same league as Henry. I'm really worried that Spurs might make the step up to fourth place next season. (I really hate Spurs!)

[herbergeehh]

Can you imagine Arsenal with a hardworking, honest player as a striker? Not Paul Dickov, but someone in between him and Henry somewhere.

edit: Gudjohnsen a fine example.

ps: Adriano is a gamble for any club, the man has redifined "erratic". Best striker in the world one day, back sulking in Brazil the next.

[tcj_jones]

Henry Explains Gunners Exit

Well it looks as though by the end of next season, Arsenal will have lost Patrick Viera, Ashley Cole, David Dein, Thierry Henry and Arsene Wenger all in the space of three seasons. I can't see them coming back from this - I think Arsenal as a championship contender are gone.

[Ozz]

I'm happy to see the back of Henry TBH, how many goals has he scored against us? Arsene Wenger knows that the real star now is Van Persie, who could be as good as Henry IMO, his injury cost them more last season the Henrys.

If VP stays fit next year, Wenger should just stick him in TH role and build the rest around him.

EDIT-Barcelonas first Pre season game is away at Dundee United-so Henrys debut could be at Tannadice! Expect about 2,000 Aresnal fans to travel up!

[tcj_jones]

I was going to say, Henry not being in the team doesn't mean much when they have Van Persie! His record against us is just unbelievable! Van Persie is a truly excellent player, but I don't think he will ever be as good as Henry. He was undoubtedly a HUGE loss last season, however.

If this were happening to Chelsea or Man United, then I wouldn't really care, but it upsets me because I am adament that they play the worlds best football. Certainly, it is the best that I have ever seen, and probably ever will see.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

I,must be interesting when your club has transfer news to talk about

Has been a smashing player Henry,a real entertainer....most of his goals have been absolute top drawer!

[Fife Rover]

I'm happy to see the back of Henry TBH, how many goals has he scored against us? Arsene Wenger knows that the real star now is Van Persie, who could be as good as Henry IMO, his injury cost them more last season the Henrys.

If VP stays fit next year, Wenger should just stick him in TH role and build the rest around him.

EDIT-Barcelonas first Pre season game is away at Dundee United-so Henrys debut could be at Tannadice! Expect about 2,000 Aresnal fans to travel up!

Expect one Rovers fan that lives in Fife to do likewise. (My son is a Dundee Utd fan)

[grizfoot]

Reading the Arsenal messageboards, the fans really have taken this badly, more so than I expected.

With Eto'o looking as though he'll be staying at Barca and Liverpool and Athletico pricing Arsenal out of a move for Torres (didn't realise that Athletico have a £27.5 million release clause that they will insist is met) it is looking a bit bleak at Arsenal. Apparently the club are also very much skint and will not be spending big at all this summer. Van Persie is a superb player but, aside from him, there is precious little quality there up front. Walcott, Vela and Bendtner all look great prospects, but they aren't ready yet.

They've also got Adebayor and Reyes (although I think he said he wants to leave).

[Cocker]

They've also got Adebayor and Reyes (although I think he said he wants to leave).

I am sure I heard somewhere that Reyes wanted out because if a fall out with Henry. Could be wrong though

[tcj_jones]

They've also got Adebayor and Reyes (although I think he said he wants to leave).

Sorry I didn't bother to mention them earlier. Reyes was brilliant when he first came to Arsenal, but then went off the boil completely. I'm pretty sure that he wants out as well. Adebayor is also a good striker, but nowhere near good enough to lead ther Arsenal front line IMO.

[T4E]

I am sure I heard somewhere that Reyes wanted out because if a fall out with Henry. Could be wrong though

I think the Henry/Reyes situation came about as a result of Luis Aragones comments about the "gypsy being better than the nigger" or words to that effect. I'm not sure there was ever anything between between the two themselves - more that Reyes just couldn't handle rainy London.