Please let him pass his medical. He's broken and will only play 40 games like Overmars. That's why we are selling him.

Good Morning everybody

As ever, your Spanish football expert is here to cast an eye over the impending transfer of the Arsenal forward Thierry Henry. I believe that although he has signed for the Blaugranas, at €24m that is a good piece of business on the Gunners. The reason i say this is that Henry will undoubtedly pass the medical, but there are major concerns surrounding his fitness. We have seen in the past that Arsenal have sold many high-profile players, including Overmars, Petit, Anelka and Pires at probably the right times in their careers and have managed to make a great profit on them too. There are many great examples of forwards that have failed to make an impression at new clubs at such a late stage in their career. Schevchenko at Chelsea, who moved from Milan is a prime example. A player at the peak of his powers who at 30 years old has an incredible footballing brain, but severly lacks the pace to cope with the London teams offensive play. Then again many players have gone on to do better for their new clubs - Ronaldo at Milan and Van Nistlerooy at Madrid are prime examples. Saying this, Henry has a recurring sciatica nerve problem to his groin and back. This means it is difficult to say how many games he'll be able to play next season, as he haad minimal involvement in 06/07. Of course he must also compete for a starting role in the team that already posesses amazing talent in Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Messi. Everyone is aware that Rijkaard has had incredible difficulty in pleasing the former two, who have both had their fair clashes on and off the pitch. Add Henry into the equation and a more mature Messi, then it becomes a great problem. Ok they are good friends, but seeing each other everyday might turn them against each other and one individual will feel left out sooner or later. This individual is unlikely to be Ronaldinho or Messi in this matter. The so-called 'five superstar signings' means Barcelona will be preparing a summer clear-out. Giuly, Gudjohnson head that list along with fringe players like Saviola, Belletti, Ezquerro, Gio, Sylvinho, maybe Marquez and Thiago Motta will be heading out the door to fund the signings of world-class replacements (Yaya Toure and Christian Chivu have been mentioned). In my opinion, i think Barca have made an error in signing Henry. He is approaching 30 and probably only has two more years in him at best. Fernando Torres would have been the ideal solution. The new golden boy of spain is proven in La Liga and is also very young and would have thrived in this team. Then again their problems don't lie at the front, they are evidently at the back and every team needs a strong defense. As for Torres, my sources tell me that he will now be heading to England with Liverpool and Arsenal the front-runners for his signature. Should he go to Anfield, then Djibril Cisse will move to Bolton and Anelka moving to Arsenal. If this is not the case then one or two of the following will move to the Emirates to appease the departure of their former Talisman.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar -( Most likely to move in a double deal to Emirates along with Babel).
Ryan Babel - ( I have been told he will definitely sign in the next fortnight. Would also have been a better option to Henry. Literally a carbon copy)
Nicholas Anelka - (Deal could be completed in the coming weeks. A forward with more experience and will ease Babels future transition as a striker).
David Trezeguet ( Real Madrid are sniffing around and may pair him with Nistelrooy with Cassano going to Juve)
Diego Milito
Florent Malouda ( A strong possibility if the other transfers collapse)

Should you have anything to say, i might be available to post some newsfeeds in the coming days. He will be jetting to Spain this Afternoon in preparation for tommorows news conference. Should Henry pass his medical and the contract signed, then he will be offcially unveiled as a Barcelona player at 1600 local time.

Guillem

Guillem, thank you very much for your detailed information and opinion