Henry: Guardiola Wants Me To Stay - TalkSoccer

**azzurri** · 18-11-2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Barcelona have dropped their clearest hint yet that they want to sign Arsenal captain Thierry Henry.

Txiki Beguiristain has stated that the Frenchman's arrival would not affect Ronaldinho or Samuel Eto'o as the trio could play in the same team.

The Catalan club's technical secretary admitted that he is a firm admirer of the Gunners striker and explained that he would definitely strengthen the squad at Camp Nou.

"He is one of the players that would improve the squad here," Beguiristain told COM Radio.

"If he was to come then that would not mean that Ronaldinho or Eto'o would have to leave because they could all play together."

It is no secret that Henry is Barcelona's number one transfer target and the Catalan club are monitoring his contract talks with The Gunners.

The former Monaco and Juventus forward's contract does not expire at Arsenal until 2007, but the club are desperate to tie him down to a new, bumper deal.

Henry, though, has stonewalled on opening negotiations and has said that he will only talk about any new deal at the end of the current campaign.

Barca have also announced that they want Maxi Lopez to go out on loan in the winter transfer window and are studying offers from across Europe for the Argentinian target man.

Beguiristain believes that age is on Maxi's side and wants him to join a club where he will play regularly as his chances at Camp Nou are limited.

With Eto'o as the first choice striker at the club and Henrik Larsson on the bench, the former River Plate striker has only played 14 minutes this season and has now been told to study the offers that are coming in for him.

"We have received offers from Spain, England, France and Germany for Maxi and the club will take a decision soon on this," Beguiristain said.

"The fact that Larsson is a substitute, is fine for the player and for the club because of his age. But Maxi, who is 21, has to play every week.

"Therefore, we must find him a team that suits his demands and that the club would be happy to see him join."

Beguiristain then explained that despite not playing much this term, Santiago Ezquerro was still very much part of the club's plans and that he would definitely not be going anywhere in January.

The 28-year-old forward moved to Barca in the summer on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao, but has only managed six appearances as a substitute this season.

"Ezquerro will not be transferred," the Barca director said. "We want him to stay and he wants to stay.

"We know the quality that he has and he proves how good he is whenever he can, but the breakthrough of (Leo) Messi has seen him have fewer chances. It has been the same for Larsson, Maxi and Ludovic Giuly however."

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c.ronaldo#1 · 21-11-2005, 08:00 AM

Amagine a front line of Henry, Ronadinhio Messi and Eto. Henry is the best player i have ever seen in my lifetime in the Premiership if he does leave i hope i get a chance to watch him play at least once.

**Jager** · 02-05-2006, 08:15 AM

Hasn't signed, and now he buys a house in the city.

I would say that he's coming for sure.

**D-Kin** · 02-05-2006, 10:17 AM

I think it's obvious he's going, a move to Barca is too good to turn down in my opinion.

FCB-Mo · 02-05-2006, 02:49 PM

DONT SIGN!!!!!

You do not understand how much i dont want him to sign for us

**D-Kin** · 02-05-2006, 02:59 PM

^I take it that's because Messi will end up playing less.

**kyan** · 02-05-2006, 04:37 PM

no way, messi would never play less, eto'o will which will be just as big a shame

**D-Kin** · 02-05-2006, 04:44 PM

I'm pretty sure it would be Messi that would miss out though as the front line would look something like this:

Ronaldinho-----Eto'o-----Henry

**kyan** · 02-05-2006, 04:50 PM

i dont think so, i think barcelona realise how much quality messi has and i dont think theyre going to risk that not developing quickly/properly by leaving him on the bench most weeks, there could be a heavy rotation between him and eto'o tho which is a shame, i cant see the point in signing henry other than for the shirt sales (before people start arguing how good he is i think that because altho hes incredibly world class, he can hardly improve that front line much more) and also hes 4 years older than eto'o

hopefully henry will leave arsenal tho, i just hope they dont do an exchange deal for eto'o

**D-Kin** · 02-05-2006, 04:54 PM

The point you're making is exactly why Barca fans don't want him because Messi needs to be playing as much as possible. You can't really swap Messi with Eto'o though as one is a striker and one is a winger so if Henry were to sign then Messi would be the one that would miss out the most. Another way to look at it is that he's only young so he won't be able to play every game anyway.

**kyan** · 02-05-2006, 04:59 PM

but henrys a striker so its more likely hed take eto'o's place in the centre of the attacking line

**D-Kin** · 02-05-2006, 05:07 PM

Yeah, I'd say both can play in either position as they like to go wide and cut inside.

Eto'o seems to prefer the right while Henry likes the left.

**azzurri** · 02-05-2006, 05:33 PM

y cant they both play? in a 4-4-2 eto, henry, and messi could all play together. makes no sense to bench eto, he is a proven success in spain.

**D-Kin** · 02-05-2006, 05:37 PM

Barca don't play 4-4-2 though so unless they change their formation (which I can't see them doing due to the players they have) then someone will miss out if Henry arrives.

**azzurri** · 02-05-2006, 05:50 PM

henry, eto
ronaldhino, ?, ?, messi

y wont that work? u can stagger, put in a diamond, etc the 4 in the mid. i just think its ridicolous to bench eto or messi, especially since they r doing so great with barca.