Barcelona set for Henry, Toure exits

Spanish champions Barcelona confirmed Monday they have cleared the way for the departures of French international striker Thierry Henry and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.

Club director general Joan Oliver said that proceedings were “very advanced” but it was now up to the players to make the final move.

Both Henry and Toure lost their first-team places last season with the French striker scoring just three goals in 20 matches.

Oliver said they were expecting 32-year-old Henry to announce his departure in “the coming days.” According to reports the striker is hoping to finish his career in the United States with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.

“Now it’s up to him (Henry) to make this reality,” said Oliver.

Henry, a World Cup winner in 1998 and European champion in 2000, joined Barcelona in 2007 from Premier League club Arsenal where he had established himself as one of the top strikers in the world.

But he played just a cameo role in his country’s disastrous World Cup campaign where they failed to get past the group stages.

Concerning Toure, Oliver said agreement has been reached in principle between Barca and Premier League club Manchester City who want to recruit him.

“The decision is in the hands of the player and his agent,” he added.

Toure also exited the World Cup in the group stages, but he scored in his country’s 3-0 win over North Korea.