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Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay could be about to get his dream move to the Premier League with Arsenal primed to obtain the twenty-four-year-old’s signature.
Arsenal are confident of tying up a deal for PSV
Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Afellay despite Real Madrid's late interest.
The 24-year-old Dutch international will be a free
transfer in the summer after revealing he had no intention of signing a new
deal with PSV last week and is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with
foreign clubs in January.
The attacking midfielder has stated his preference for
the Barclays Premier League and Liverpool are said to have held preliminary
talks.
Boss Roy Hodgson watched him in action last weekend
while Manchester United and Everton have also shown interest.
However, Arsenal have been admirers for some time and
after making a £7.5m offer last summer, believe they can get their man for
free.
(Daily Mail)
Despite
interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, it is believed that Afellay, who is
one game away from making his 150th appearance for PSV, would fit
into Arsene Wenger’s system better than anywhere else.
Afellay
is a creative player who prefers to play in the centre of midfield, although he
can be used out wide on either side as well. It is thought that PSV youth
product could be seen as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who is expected to
leave for Barcelona within the next two seasons.
The
midfielder failed to make a major impact in the World Cup in the summer, making
three substitute appearances for Bert van Marwijk’s side. Afellay is yet to
score his national side but has netted forty-one times for PSV. In 2007, he was
awarded the Young Player of the Year award in the Netherlands.
It
may not be too long before he joins a long list of talented youngsters in the
Arsenal set-up.
Originally
found on Caught
Offside.
