Real Madrid to step up bid for Arsenal ace Henry

Real Madrid directors were celebrating yesterday as Jose Antonio Reyes was completing his sensational move from Seville to Arsenal.

Real chiefs are now convinced that president Florentino Perez's ambition to prise Thierry Henry away from Highbury before the start of next season can now be realised.

AS revealed last week that while Arsenal's vice-chairman David Dein was in Spain to table a £20 million offer to Seville for Reyes, he also took the opportunity to meet with Real officials in Madrid to discuss Henry's future.

Perez has made Henry his next big project, but knew everything hinged on the Gunners signing a readymade replacement. The arrival of Reyes is expected to see Real begin to exert pressure on Arsenal to name a price for the French ace.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta will also be monitoring developments closely. Unlike Perez, Laporta has a trump card to play if he enters the bidding for Henry - Nike.

Barca's association with Nike has already seen Edgar Davids reject Tottenham for the Nou Camp and a similar battle could loom for Real if Laporta chooses to make Henry a summer transfer target.