TRANSFER NEWS AND GOSSIP– Toure On his way to Manchester, Henry bids farewell to Barcelona and Raul on his way to England
The Catalan club Barcelona has confirmed that Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure are leaving the club.
French international striker Henry was on duty with the French national side, which suffered a humiliating first round exit at the world cup in South Africa. He did not start a single game due to his rift with his manager and at the age of 32 this surely was his last world cup. With the striker linked to a move to the United States, it is sure that the medal winning days of one of the one most feared striker in the world are well and truly over.
Henry joined the Catalan club from Arsenal, where he is still considered a legend. In 2007 in search of the Champion’s League crown, that had eluded the man at the Emirates and despite winning the coveted champions league in 2009 and two Spanish LA Liga titles, the charismatic striker has failed to replicate the form that made him one of the best strikers in the world.
The 32 year old started only 15 times for the Spanish artisans last term, scoring four goals and after falling behind Pedro and Bojan, in the pecking order, Henry has decided that it is time to move on.
His midfield partner Yaya Toure, who was also a first round casualty at the world cup with his Ivory Coast side, is however contemplating a move to join the ongoing revolution at Manchester City funded by the riches of Sheikh Mansour.
Manchester City has an open cheque policy when it comes to luring their desired targets to the Eastland’s. After having, spent more than 250 million pounds and still missing out on a top 4 finish in the premier league. Along with it blowing a chance to play champions league football next season, City are bitterly disappointed and are looking to further strengthen their squad ahead of the start of the new season. Yaya Toure in Mancini’s eyes is the best man to start the spending with.
It is understood that both the clubs, Manchester City and Barcelona, have reached an understanding on the transfer of Yaya Toure but the details about the transfer have not yet been disclosed, and according to his agent Toure will complete his transfer to Eastland’s in the next few days.
Toure’s elder brother Kolo Toure already plays for Manchster City, after he was bought in 2009 from Arsenal and if the move goes through, the two brothers will be playing their football together come next season.
In some other transfer news, Spain’s legendary striker Rul Gonzalez, after spending 16 illustrious and memorable years at Real Madrid has decided to bring an end to one of the most glorious careers in world football.
Raul is Spain’s leading international goal scorer along with holding the record for scoring the most goals in the Champions league with over 50 goals. Raul, in the recent years has been replaced in the Spanish side by younger but equally prolific striker Fernando Torres and David Villa. Even at his club side, his starting place is no more guaranteed with Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo leading the Los Blancos attack.
Manchester United look to be an interested party for securing their services of the legendary talisman but over the past few days Blackburn Rovers have emerged as leading contenders to sign the Spanish striker.
German side FC Shalke and Italian side Sampdoria are also interested in signing Raul.
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