Thursday, 30th August, 2012
Schalke appear to have won the race to sign Ibrahim Afellay from Barcelona on a season-long loan, with the club’s chairman Clemens Tonnies and striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar both hitting positive notes over the deal.
Afellay has been given the green light by Barcelona to move away from the club on loan, as new coach Tito Vilanova has warned that playing time will be at a premium for the former PSV Eindhoven man if he opts to remain at the Camp Nou.
There has been a flurry of interest in Afellay, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Schalke mooted to be leading the chase, while Arsenal, Newcastle and Inter have also been suggested as potential destinations. Ligue 1 giants Lille had a bid to sign the Dutchman turned down too earlier this summer.
But now the signs point to Afellay landing in Germany at Schalke, where his desire for Champions League football would be satisfied and he would link up with countryman Huntelaar.
"He is a great player. I assume everything will be fine", said Schalke chairman Tonnies to Sport Bild.
And Afellay’s team-mate at international level, Huntelaar, announced via his Twitter account "I want to welcome Ibrahim Afellay at #S04.
"Tomorrow training at 16:00. Don’t forget. Wilkommen Ibrahim Afellay."
For Schalke, the capture of Afellay will be a genuine coup and a boost to the club, having seen off much competition for his signature.
The attacking midfielder himself will no doubt relish the regular first team football on offer. It remains to be seen whether any permanent purchase option forms part of the loan agreement.
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