Thursday, 19th July, 2012
A transfer scramble looks set to begin after Dutch attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay was told he is surplus to requirements at Barcelona.
According to El Mundo Deportivo, Afellay has met with new Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova, who informed the former PSV Eindhoven star that he has no pre-defined role in the side and if he chooses to remain at the Camp Nou his playing time will be extremely limited.
And with Barcelona ready to cash in on the 26-year-old, the message to the Dutchman is clear: move elsewhere for first team football.
Vilanova’s conclusion that Afellay has no place at the Catalan giants is now set to see several sides step up their pursuit of the Holland international.
In England, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have been persistently linked with a swoop for the player, while French outfit Lille have already lodged a bid with Barcelona for Afellay’s services.
And in Italy too the Dutchman has an admirer, where Inter have been keeping a close watch on his situation at the Camp Nou.
The 26-year-old joined Barcelona in January 2011 for a cut-price €3M from PSV Eindhoven, due to an expiring contract.
However, in September 2011, Afellay suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, banishing him to the sidelines until April.
Since his return to action the Dutchman has only seen limited game time with Barcelona and increasingly it appears his time at the Camp Nou could be coming to an end.
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