Gunners rejected Henry bids

David Dein claims Arsenal turned down two world-record bids for Thierry Henry.

Henry finally ended months of speculation over his future on Friday by signing a new four-year deal with The Gunners.

The Frenchman was strongly linked with a move away from Arsenal in the summer with Barcelona waiting in the wings to sign him.

It is believed that Barcelona and Real Madrid both lodged bids for Henry, with Dein confirming that both offers for Henry came from Spain before he signed his new deal.

"We turned down world-record deals for Thierry from two Spanish clubs - and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work who they were," Dein told the Sunday Express.

"The two clubs in question don't like to be outbid by each other. They were ready to go for it.

"Our message was clear. He wasn't for sale and I like to think Thierry heard that."

Dein also revealed that Henry's decision to stay in North London was nothing to do with money and that the player only had to be convinced of Arsenal's ambition before pledging his future to the club.

"We made an offer in January, prodded Thierry now and then, but never put pressure on him," added Dein.

"Money wasn't really mentioned. He wanted to know where we were going, but in reality I think he knew.

"I believe he also knew that if he went to a club like Barcelona or Real Madrid, he would just be a prince. Here he knows he is a king."