Arsenal and Spurs ponder loan move for Barca star

Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 by Talksport.co.uk

Barcelona will this week sanction the loan departure of Ibrahim Afellay - with a whole host of Premier League clubs waiting in the wings.

The Dutchman has endured a torrid time at the Nou Camp following his surprise arrival from PSV in 2011. Injuries have restricted his progress and when he has been available,he has failed to dislodge the galaxy of stars in the first team.

At the time of his departure from PSV, numerous Premier League clubs were keen on Afellay, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool all making enquiries.

And it is understood that Arsenal and Tottenham are both keen on a loan deal for the attacker, who can also play on the wing.

Arsenal missed out on Nuri Sahin, with the midfielder instead joining Liverpool on loan, and
Arsene Wenger says he will look at options in the market if a 'special' player comes up.

Afellay's talent is undoubted and Wenger appears keen again and Andre Villas-Boas will also be busy in the final days of the window.

The north London rivals have been boosted by news that Barcelona have agreed to loan out
Afellay in the same way Real Madrid have with Sahin.

Both Spanish giants value their respective players highly but are keen for them to regain their confidence with regular playing time.