The Catalan newspaper quoted what it described as a reliable Barca source who claimed to be relatively optimistic having held talks with Henry.

The news flies in the face of recent comments attributed to the striker on the Arsenal website.

"If everybody is fit and fresh I don't even think about not winning the title," he said, seemingly preparing himself for next season with the Gunners.

"We are as good as Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Being so far behind is hard to take but we've been there before and after that we've been on top."

The newspaper said Barca are known to be wanting to re-inforce their playing resources after a difficult season in which their Champions League defence ended at the second round and their La Liga defence also looks to be heading for an unhappy finale.

Deportivo speculates that one of Barca's high profile attacking players out of Brazilian forward Ronaldinho, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o and Portugal playmaker Deco will be forced out if Henry arrives.