Barcelona's Afellay offered to Arsenal & Inter

Jul 13, 2012 9:40:00 AM

The versatile Dutchman appears to be surplus to requirements at his current club, and he could be on his way to either Serie A or the Premier League

EXCLUSIVE
By Vittorio Campanile

Ibrahim Afellay appears to be on his way out of Barcelona in the summer transfer window as the Catalans have told his agent Rob Jansen that the Netherlands international is no longer needed at the club, Goal.com can reveal.

The Blaugrana are keen to cash in on Afellay as they look to generate funds for the transfer of Athletic Bilbao star Javi Martinez, and Jansen has accordingly offered the 26-year-old to both Inter and Arsenal.

An offer in the region of €6 million would be enough to lure Afellay away from Barcelona, and Inter are seriously considering making a move for the former PSV star.

Arsenal were previously interested in signing the versatile midfielder in 2011, but were beaten to his signature by the Catalan club.

Afellay moved to the Camp Nou from the Dutch club in January 2011, and made 28 appearances in all competitions during his first six months at the Liga giants.

However, a knee injury kept him sidelined for most of the 2011-12 campaign, and players such as Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello have since broken into the first team, significantly increasing the competition for places in Afellay's positions.

Afellay said earlier this summer that he is keen to prove his worth at Barcelona, but a summer exit seems inevitable as new head coach Tito Vilanova does not have room for the attacking midfielder in his plans, and both Inter and Arsenal are ready to pounce.

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