The headline read: "Henry will come in July," and the Barcelona-based newspaper added there was a "90 per cent chance that Henry would be wearing Barcelona colours next season."

Henry's move, according to the paper, was based on Barcelona having the squad to win the European Cup, the only major title to have eluded him.

The paper emphasised that neither Henry nor Barcelona would make the news official (before the end of the season) and that the player would continue to negotiate a contract extension at Arsenal.

Henry has continually stressed his commitment to Arsenal since arriving in 1999. But he wants to be sure the club can be competitive at the highest level in both England and Europe before signing a new deal, perhaps the last major one of his career.