Soccer Shorts: Thierry Henry will leave Arsenal if the club does not bring in several world-class players, believes his former team-mate Patrick Vieira.
Arsenal captain Henry (29) has been linked with a move to a number of Europe's top clubs.
Vieira, now with Inter Milan, told BBC Radio Five Live: "If Arsenal bring two or three big names that will show Thierry that they want to compete. If that's not the case Thierry will ask himself what is the best for him."
Henry said he was "devastated" when Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein left the club in April because of "irreconcilable differences" with the rest of the board. Barcelona suggested they wanted to sign the striker in early June, while AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said Henry was one of the "players that we are interested in".
Eto'o not for Milan
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has admitted the club will not be signing Samuel Eto'o. The European champions had made Eto'o their number one summer target, but with Barcelona announcing earlier this week the Cameroon striker is not for sale, Milan have been forced to look elsewhere.
"It's very difficult to sign a player from Spain," said Galliani. "To get a champion from a Spanish club has almost become an impossible task."
Spanish eye Reyes
Arsenal midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes is wanted by three Spanish clubs. The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, scoring twice in their final match of the season as they clinched the Primera Liga title.
"There are three clubs interested in Jose, all in Spain," Reyes's agent Jesus Rodriguez de Moya said. But it is understood Reyes, for whom Arsenal paid Sevilla £10.5 million in January 2004, will not have his loan move to Madrid made permanent.
Martins dodges bullet
Newcastle and Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins escaped uninjured after being shot at while driving in Lagos. The striker was attacked by masked gunmen on Monday night, hours after he returned home from Nigeria's Nations Cup qualifier against Niger. The 22-year-old escaped unhurt but a friend was injured after his Mercedes was sprayed with bullets.
Malouda deal not done Lyon have rejected suggestions they have already agreed to sell Florent Malouda to Chelsea. Jose Mourinho is an admirer of the France winger, who has indicated he wants to quit Stade Gerland.
The French club's head of communications, Olivier Blanc, declared, "There is no agreement with Chelsea about Malouda, and absolutely nothing about a swap deal with Lassana Diarra we turned down a fortnight ago."
In brief . . .
Fenerbahce have submitted an offer of around €9 million to AC Milan for Ronaldo. . . Middlesbrough say they have received no bid for striker Yakubu. . . Celtic should find out within 48 hours if the Sampdoria midfielder Gennaro Delvecchiowill join the Parkhead club . . . Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlanis a major summer target for Aston Villa . . . Scarborough FCwent out of business yesterday after a long struggle with financial problems.
