Henry’s agent dismisses report

London, June 12:

Thierry Henry’s agent denied reports that the French star is in negotiations to leave Arsenal and move to Barcelona. A report in the magazine France Football suggested that Henry, who has been with the Gunners since 1999, had agreed on a three-year deal with Barca.

Henry’s agent, Jerome Anderson, dismissed the speculation and issued a statement saying he might take legal action against the magazine. “No meetings have ever taken place between Jerome Anderson and Barcelona in France or anywhere else, and Jerome Anderson will be seeking legal advice against France Football,” the statement said.

Although Henry still has three years left on his contract, his future becomes an issue almost every off season. The speculation has increased because Arsenal failed to win a trophy last season and finished only fourth in the Premier League for the second year in a row.

Henry acknowledged he was upset that David Dein, who was responsible for bringing manager Arsene Wenger to the club in 1996, quit the Gunners as vice chairman. Wenger has said he has no plans to follow Dein away from the club.

Tuesday’s editions of the French sports daily L’Equipe carried an interview with Henry in which he was quoted as saying he had made no decision on his future. “It’s impossible to silence the rumours,” he said. “I will be 30 in August. It is not the first or the last time that people are talking about my place. In the meantime, I am still a player for Arsenal.”