Arsene Wenger's future has been thrown into fresh doubt after Thierry Henry claimed the Arsenal manager's refusal to sign a new contract was the main reason he is joining Barcelona.
Talismanic captain Henry was today on the verge of a £16million move to Spain,
with the Gunners confirming only a medical and other formalities had yet to be
completed.
Wenger's current deal expires at the end of the forthcoming season and,
although he has vowed not to walk away from Emirates Stadium before then, he has
avoided making any commitment beyond that.
Henry, 29, has been a disciple of Wenger since their days at Monaco 15 years
ago, and he fears his mentor will quit next summer.
In an open letter to supporters published in The Sun, the France striker said:
'Arsene has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
'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.'
Henry, Arsenal's record scorer with 226 goals in 364 games over his eight
seasons, has already expressed his disappointment at the acrimonious exit of
vice-chairman David Dein and insists he cannot risk losing Wenger as well.
He added: '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.'
Ironically, Wenger may feel the same about the departure of Henry, who he
converted from a struggling winger into one of the most feared forwards in the
world after bringing him to the club eight years ago.
The studious Frenchman has earned a reputation as one of the most astute
talent-spotters in the game, creating a conveyor belt of outstanding young
players which has in turn allowed him to replace many of the Arsenal's big
names.
But it is no secret he saw Henry's vast experience as vital to helping nuture
much of that talent.
Lacking the financial muscle of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool,
Wenger would have also been able to use his captain to attract players to
Emirates Stadium.
Many of the Gunners' transfer targets may be dissuaded from joining if they
believe both Henry and Wenger will not be at the club from next summer.
World Cup winner Henry has reportedly agreed a four-year deal with Barca.
The Spanish club's vice-president Ferran Soriano confirmed last night talks
were at an 'advanced' stage.
He revealed it was 'the wish of all parties' for an agreement to be reached
and Henry could be presented as a Barca player on Monday.
Soriano admitted recent big-money transfers in Europe dictated how much it
would cost his club to take the striker - who turns 30 in August - to
Catalonia.
'There is a certain inflation in the transfer fees with respect to last
year,' Soriano told Catalan radio station RAC1.
'We can check it [the Henry deal] with the signing of Ribery for Bayern
(£17million) and those of Nani and Anderson, who are 18, for Manchester United
(£34million).
'There are players who last year cost 10million euros (£6.7million) and now
they cost 15million (£10.1million).'
Henry added: '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.
'Barcelona are a wonderful club steeped in tradition and play beautiful
football. I'm sure I will be very happy there.
'But I will miss the Arsenal fans dearly, they have supported me through
thick and thin.
'They will always be in my heart, as will all the fans who make the game here
so special. I will always have a special bond with Arsenal Football Club.'
Barca later released a statement saying they expected to agree personal terms
with Henry 'in the next few hours'.
