Wednesday, 29th August, 2012
Ibrahim Afellay has not travelled with Barcelona to contest the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid tonight.
The development is yet another clear sign that the Dutchman is considering where to spend next season after Barcelona opened the door for a loan or sale of the former PSV Eindhoven man.
Afellay has remained keen to stay at the Camp Nou and break through into the starting eleven, but coach Tito Vilanova, who succeeded Josep Guardiola at the end of last season, informed the attacking midfielder that his playing time would be extremely limited were he to spend the 2012/13 campaign at the club.
The player’s agent has admitted that his client is a wanted man and suggested the ball is in Afellay’s court to decide what he wishes to do.
He has no shortage of options with Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Inter, Schalke, Arsenal and Newcastle all having been linked with making a bid for his services; Afellay is thought to have turned down the chance to sign for Liverpool earlier this summer, but could now rethink.
The attacking midfielder joined Barcelona in the 2011 January transfer window, but received a blow in his bid to establish himself by picking up a serious injury in September of the same year, which ruled him out for several months.
Upon his return, the 26-year-old found first team chances difficult to come by.
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