Report:Robinho In Henry Out

FC Barcelona’s interest in Robinho is not new. Before the summer transfer market closed on August 31, Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo carried the story, and now, two and half months prior to the start of the winter transfer market, it again reported the news (rumour) that Thierry Henry could now be one of the keys to facilitate Robinho move to the Primera Liga club.

The paper says Guardiola thinks the former Real Madrid player can play a key role for his team in the second stage of this season’s campaign, in the League, Copa del Rey and crucially the Champions League. Robinho is eligible to play in Europe because Manchester City failed to qualify for the continent’s premier club competition.

Another critical factor is the player’s desire to prove himself. Turning 26 next January, Robinho was already not a fixed starter in Mark Hughes squad when injuring his right ankle in September, threatening his place in the 2010 World Cup. Playing at the Camp Nou would firmly secure his place in the Canarinha’s (Brazil national team) starting eleven.

Barcelona has already made the moves since this summer’s pre-season when Manchester City participated in the Joan Gamper trophy. The club repeated its interest in Robinho but the English club steadfastly refused to sell. The only option proposed by the English Premier League club was a swap with another star player and the names of Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol and Thierry Henry was raised. Since then, the Argentine has renewed his contract, until 2016, and is therefore untouchable. Puyol, though still has to renew his contract, is currently still in negotiations. In light of this, of the three names mentioned, the most feasible option for the exchange would be Thierry Henry, who turned 32 last August.

The idea being floated is for Barcelona to gain the services of Robinho on loan from January 1 whilst ensuring an option to purchase for the month of June. Manchester City may not accept that idea for now but Henry could come into play then. The French striker’s contract will expire at the end of next season, and this inexplicably, will pave the way for the (possible) arrival of Robinho.

Manchester City, already has Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez in their ranks, and might see Henry as another famous football star that can lift the status of the club. The owners of Manchester City, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also wanted John Terry, as a point in case. Henry meets the profile. Barcelona may not contemplate the exchange now, but that proposal could be raised by June 2010.