Transfer Talk: Henry Signs with Barca, DMB to Rangers, Makelele to Houston Dynamo?

By: Bob | June 11th, 2007

Many a scribe has dubbed the transfer period the “silly season” because the rumors fly fast and furious and frequently fail to come to fruition. The rampant speculation of where Thierry Henry will end up next season is a classic example. He’s been linked with Liverpool, AC Milan and Barcelona. After yesterday’s appearance in the stands at the French Open he has probably been linked with a new sporting career. Will he end up in any of these locales? The answer is yes if you are to believe today’s transfer talk.

There has been a tremendous amount of speculation regarding the future of Thierry Henry. According to the magazine France Football (in French) (in English), the Arsenal striker has inked a three-year deal to play with Barcelona and now all that needs to be done is to negotiate his release from Arsenal. The report says Barca are willing to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 million Euros to add Henry to a mix that includes Samuel Eto’o, Leo Messi and Ronaldinho, assuming they hold on to all those players. Not a bad attack, methinks.

DaMarcus Beasley is still owned by PSV Eindhoven but that might not be for much longer. Rangers have their eyes on the 25-year-old American, much to the dismay of some Celtic supporters.

Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has opened the door to the possibility of playing in the United States and if you are to believe stories with flimsy facts he has been approached by the Houston Dynamo. Don’t hold your breath waiting for this one to happen.

Who wants Carlos Tevez? Inter Milan might. Manchester United might. Tevez is good but I kind of think he is overrated.

What a strange and winding road that Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has taken over the years. The former Chelsea, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Boavista Dutch striker may take his show to Bulgaria to play for Levski Sofia. Odd choice but when you are 35 and have diminished skills it could make sense.

Liverpool are said to be interested in Villareal striker Diego Forlan but his agent denies this. Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy could be headed to West Ham.

Udinese and Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta is believed to be on his way to Juventus where he will join the 75 other players they are rumored to be after this transfer window.

Who will win the fight for Alou Diarra? Portsmouth are said to be in the running the Lyon midfielder but Bayern Munich still have some money left over to in their effort to buy a new team of all-stars.