Ibrahim Afellay Could Make Loan Switch Away from Barcelona Admits Agent

Monday, 27th August, 2012

Ibrahim Afellay could move on loan from Barcelona this season, after his agent confirmed that the option is indeed being studied.

The Dutchman has been informed by Blaugrana coach Tito Vilanova that if he remains at the Camp Nou this season then his playing time will be extremely limited.

Vilanova also issued a coded warning over the weekend, stressing that Barcelona "is not a social club".

Afellay has already had a concrete offer from Inter. He is also believed to have three suitors in the English Premier League, with Arsenal and Liverpool known admirers. The former saw Afellay knock back a loan request earlier this summer, but could yet return to try and tempt the attacking midfielder again.

"Ibrahim fits in at Barcelona and he has the qualities to breakthrough, but he has fallen back a little", Afellay’s agent Rob Jansen told NOS Studio Soccer.

"Barcelona have therefore said that perhaps it is better, if he wants to, for him to go elsewhere to play more minutes", added Jansen.

"That is the situation as it is now. That is what it is like with Barcelona and Ibrahim, because Barcelona determines where their players are going."

But Afellay’s representative was keen to stress that it is only a loan which is being discussed.

"We are talking about a loan, when it happens."

Afellay will have no shortage of options too, according to Jansen.

"There are several clubs with concrete interest."