Daily newspaper Marca claimed that the Spanish giants opened talks with the Gunners over the part-exchange deal, with the approval of both players.

The Catalans have been persistently chasing Henry since last season, and sports director Txiki Beguiristain has recently re-asserted Barca's interest, but Arsenal have not made any official comments on these latest reports

Cameroonian ace Eto'o has lately expressed his admiration of the Premiership, and his future with Barca has been subject to uncertainty this season, but the 27-year-old is away on international duty and has not commented yet.

Arsenal's all-time top goal scorer Henry, remained cool over the issue, but his comments do not reflect a rejection from his part.

"Since I started playing football there has been speculation about me going to a lot of clubs, so that will never, ever stop," Henry was quoted as saying by Sky sports.

"But, as I said, for now I'm an Arsenal player. So there is nothing to add to it."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed Henry's stay at the Emirates Stadium in more than four separate occasions throughout the current season, and the talismanic skipper usually reaffirmed his manager's comments.