Friday, 31st January, 2014
Barcelona attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay has turned down the chance to join Villarreal on loan.
The Yellow Submarine were keen to take the Dutchman on a temporary deal until the end of this season.
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But following talks with Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, Afellay has decided to decline Villarreal's request, according to El Mundo Deportivo.
The Dutchman, who is still hoping to book a spot in Holland's World Cup squad, appears to have been promised minutes on the pitch by Martino.
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Afellay, who has suffered injury problems in recent years, spent last term on loan at Bundesliga side Schalke.
He joined Barcelona in the 2011 January transfer window from PSV Eindhoven.
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