British newspapers The Independent and The Times claim that Manchester City is interested in signing Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) next summer.The Independent claims that Manchester City have accepted they won't be able to sign a star player this transfer window but will consider returning to Barcelona for Henry this summer, having received an indication that the Frenchman did not feel January was the right time to leave Barcelona.
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes and Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook would both like to sign Henry and the failed transfer of AC Milan's Kaká earlier this week has not put them off the idea of high-profile signings this summer.
Henry appears to fit Manchester City's profile of a player whose broader image rights could have value. The French striker would also understand Garry Cook's notion about maximising footballers' intellectual property rights, an issue that is believed to have caused the collapse of the Kaká deal.
Manchester City wouldn't have been left with the impression that their pursuit of the striker is a lost cause. Henry's age could be a bigger problem than his willingness to abandon the prospect of Champions League football next season. It is believed that the transfer fee for Henry, whose contract at Barcelona expires in 2011, could be around 15 million euro°.
The Times claims that Manchester City have already taken the first steps in their attempt to bring Henry back to the English Premier League. After the failed bid to sign Kaká from AC Milan, Henry would be next on Manchester City's list of transfer targets with the Frenchman both fitting the club's need for an iconic signing to raise their commercial profile as well as their prospects on the pitch.
City didn't yet approach Henry or Barcelona directly but has made preliminary moves to sound out Henry's availability and whether the player would want to return to English football as part of the club's new project. The contacts have just started and City will continue the process over the coming weeks.
If a transfer next summer seems possible, Manchester City will then decide if they will meet Barcelona's asking price, which is expected to be around 10,5 million euro°, and match Henry's salary, which is thought to be at this moment more than 5,5 million euro a year.
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