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Transfer spree ahead?
23/06/2007 08:45 - (SA)
London - Thierry Henry's imminent move from Arsenal to Barcelona is likely to prompt a spree of transfers across Europe.
With Henry in town to join Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o in one of the greatest strikeforces ever assembled, Barca is likely to let some quality players go.
If striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is released, he reportedly is keen on a return to the English Premier League. Having had spells with Bolton and Chelsea, the Icelandic forward would adjust quickly to the English league and clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle might be interested.
Argentina forward Javier Saviola is out of contract at Camp Nou and reportedly is unhappy that he doesn't get many starts. He spent two seasons on loan at Monaco and Sevilla having joined Barca from River Plate in 2001.
Henry's arrival would mean ever fewer chances of starting for Barca and he could move to another Spanish club or return to his homeland.
Despite beating Barcelona to the Spanish league title with a late surge, Real Madrid also might react to the Henry arrival into Spanish soccer by attracting some big stars.
David Beckham is on his way to Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy and the club has said farewell to other "galacticos" - Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos.
Henry's arrival at Barcelona will strengthen the club's chances of winning back the Spanish league and European Champions League titles and Madrid will need to respond. Madrid president Ramon Calderon says he wants to pry Brazil's Kaka from Champions League winner AC Milan.
Sweeping changes
Calderon also told reporters on Friday that there could be sweeping changes at the Bernabeu from coach Fabio Capello down.
If Capello doesn't stay, Calderon says Madrid could go for Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, PSV Eindhoven's Ronald Koeman or former Denmark national team regular Michael Laudrup as a replacement and that would mean big changes to the playing personnel.
With a reported £16m to spend if the sale of Henry is completed, Wenger would have funds to replace the Frenchman.
The Gunners owners have the reputation of not spending big and relying on young, homegrown players instead, and Wenger has a team of emerging prospects who are the envy of his rivals.
But Henry is considered irreplaceable and Wenger likely will spend some of the fee on recruiting a forward who can satisfy Gunners fans who are unhappy that it finished fourth in the Premier League in the past two seasons and failed to win a title last term.
- AP
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