[Portman]

All the English Premier League 2007/08 talk here!

[Rossoneri7]

Rijkaard To Resign, Barcelona Chasing Wenger - Report

The Sun are sensationally claiming that Barcelona have been speaking with Arsene Wenger, not about Thierry Henry, but about signing the coach himself.



The report insists that Frank Rijkaard is set to step down as Barcelona coach following Real Madrid's title triumph on Sunday evening.

Many in the Barcelona camp believe that the Dutchman's limitations have been exposed this season, in the absence of former assistant Henk Ten Cate, who used to work closely with the players, and was also considered to be the tactical expert.

Rijkaard's hold on the squad is said to have slipped since Ten Cate's departure for Ajax, and his tactics have also come under scrutiny.

While Joan Laporta continues to publicly back him, The Sun insist that he will quit following the rather embarrassing collapse in the title race.

They also suggest that "the Spanish giants have made Arsenal boss Wenger their No 1 target to replace him."

'Senior sources' at the Camp Nou have supposedly claimed that talks are underway to bring him to the Camp Nou.

There was a meeting last week in France between Wenger and Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano, which multiple reports had suggested was to discuss Thierry Henry's future.

The report insists it was not about Henry, but the coach himself.

Wenger has insisted he will see out the final year of his contract at Arsenal, but refused to sign a new deal. He is known to be very frustrated with the lack of funds to challenge for the big players, and David Dein's departure, and Barcelona are looking to hand him a blank cheque if he takes charge.

Should Wenger move, it will, needless to say, facilitate Thierry Henry's move to Barcelona as well. Cesc Fabregas is another player who has publicly pledged his loyalty to Wenger, and not Arsenal.

Goal.com