LONDON, June 23: Arsenal announced on Saturday they had reached an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of France striker and club captain Thierry Henry.

“Arsenal Football Club can confirm that it has reached an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of Thierry Henry. The deal is subject to a medical and the completion of formalities,” the club said on its website.Barcelona Vice-President Ferran Soriano told radio Marca on Saturday: “We’re optimistic we’ll conclude the negotiations on Monday and we’ve told the player that too.”

The 29-year-old is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Catalan club for an estimated $32.29 million.

“I still must pass a medical on Monday but yes, I have chosen Barcelona,” the France striker told French sports daily L’Equipe on Saturday. “I will sign there for the next four seasons. Nothing has been signed yet but both sides reached an agreement on Friday. I have chosen Barcelona for the football they play, for their history and their stadium,” he added.

“I am sad to leave Arsenal. I would have stayed there for life. I didn’t want things to happen that way but I’m also ready for a new challenge.”

Henry said the fact that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would not commit to extending his contract, which runs until 2008, had influenced his decision.

“The fact that Arsene Wenger has decided not to extend his contract was another very important factor,” he said.

Henry pointed to his age, the Wenger aspect and the departure of director David Dein in April as his reasons in an open letter to readers of Britain’s Sun newspaper.

“It’s now or never for me – sadly it has to be now,” Henry was quoted as saying. “Arsene Wenger has said that at this moment he will not commit to the club past the expiration of his current deal, which finishes at the end of this coming season.”—Reuters