Guardiola wanted to replace Henry this summer

Madrid sports tabloid As claims that Barcelona wanted to replace Barcelona forward and French international Thierry Henry (31) during the past summer transfer window.

Because Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola would have had enough of the clash of the egos of Henry and Eto'o, he reportedly asked the club to look for a new left winger.

Although it was Eto'o who took all the hits from the press and Henry came out of it fairly undamaged because of his good relationship with the media and the entourage of the club, Guardiola would have wanted to get rid of both players.

Barcelona would therefore have been discretely sounding out the market over the last months and contacted among others left wingers like Riera, Robben, Robinho, Mata and Silva. But although those players would have agreed to join Barcelona, it was not possible to close a deal with their clubs. If Barcelona would find a new left winger next year, Henry will probably leave the club at the end of this season.

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Robben confirms Barcelona interest

Asked about the rumours linking him earlier this summer with a move to Barcelona (read more here), Bayern Munich left winger and Dutch international Arjen Robben (25) has confirmed in an interview with Dutch television channel Eredivisie Live that Barcelona was interested:

"There was interest. I just think that it would have been impossible. I'm afraid that Real Madrid would never have let me go to Barcelona. But that's all history. I am glad to play at Bayern Munich now."

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Barcelona interested in Robben

Spanish sports journalist Juan Carlos Rivero talks on his blog about a meeting he had last Sunday with Barcelona president Joan Laporta at a restaurant in Bilbao.

When the name of Real Madrid left winger and Dutch international Arjen Robben (25) was mentioned, Laporta is quoted as saying:

"We would be delighted to have him with us. I'm sure Madrid would want to sell him for 20 million euros. But if we're interested, they will raise that asking price to 200 million euros."

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