Henry is new target for Real

Thierry Henry is wanted by Real Madrid. Arsenal have already made it clear that the 27-year-old French star is not for sale after new Spanish champions Barcelona were linked with a move for Henry last week.

Now the club are preparing for more unwanted attention from Real who are determined to win back the Spanish title after two barren years.

Already on their wish list is Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo - and now he has been joined by Henry who would command a fee of more than £30 million if Arsenal decided to sell him.

But manager Arsene Wenger is determined to keep Henry at Highbury and Arsenal will now intensify their efforts to secure him on a long-term contract.

Henry still has two years left on his present deal but chairman Peter Hill-Wood said in the build-up to the FA Cup Final win over Manchester United that talks are on-going with Henry, Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires and Gilberto Silva. But Real believe the presence of French star Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu could be a significant factor in attracting Henry should the striker want to move to Spain.

Real would want Henry as a replacement for Michael Owen, who is valued at around £16m by the Spanish club.

The 25-year-old former Liverpool striker has hinted that a return to England may be on the cards if he proves surplus to requirements.

"I spent many years in England. I did well and, perhaps, that's why I'm still talked about," Owen said.

"If someone comes and tells me there is a club interested in me and that I have to go, then I will have to do that."

Owen accepts that Real will want to strengthen their squad after a second season without a trophy. He said: "I understand the way it is. A year without titles - then another after that. That's not for Real Madrid."