Press reports suggest a number of Serie A’s biggest clubs are vying for the signature of PSV’s attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay alongside Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool. The Dutchman’s agent Rob Jansen has suggested that the player’s future is uncertain which will only increase speculation that the player will be on his way to Anfield at the end of the season.
Jansen told Sportweek: “The contract between Ibrahim and PSV expires in June 2011, so we are not in a hurry to renew.
“We decided to take it easy and think carefully before signing any renewal.
“Ibrahim is very happy with what he is doing at PSV and so it is possible that he will stay in Eindhoven.
“But he could also decide to move abroad. At the moment I cannot say anything else. We will see how the situation develops.”
The talented 23-year-old has also been linked to a number of Premier League clubs in the past with Arsenal thought to be very keen prior to the arrival of Andrey Arshavin which ended that interest. Liverpool are certainly looking to add more width and quality to their squad although failure to qualify for the Champions League will scupper their hopes as Afellay is in high demand despite a relatively low-key season for PSV.
The PSV star was born in Utrecht but is of Moroccan descent and came through the ranks at his present club. Afellay made his PSV debut in the 2003/04 season as a 17-year-old but has since become one of the stars of the Dutch giants. In fact, the young star played his part in 4 successive Dutch title wins but hopes of a 5th ended when AZ finished top last season. PSV are once again top this season but are only a point clear of Steve McClaren’s FC Twente.
Last season the club languished in 4th place, a staggering 15 points behind champions AZ. However, although PSV struggled, Afellay certainly didn’t. Last season he enjoyed his most productive season yet with an impressive 13 goals in 28 league appearances (27 starts). This season he has scored just 3 goals in 22 league starts but has been one of the stars of the side prompting interest from Serie A and Liverpool. Benitez has signed Maxi Rodriguez which provides more width to the Reds side but Afellay can play on both flanks as well as being adept at playing as the 2nd striker. He is also more of a dribbler than Rodriguez, Albert Riera or Dirk Kuyt so would give Liverpool a different threat. The future of his compatriot Ryan Babel is less than certain so a proposed swap deal could be on the cards as Babel’s reputation in Holland is still very good.
Despite his age, Afellay has now made 133 League appearances for the club and scored 28 goals. However, PSV’s lack of European football this season has prompted unrest from the winger which could lead to a move to Anfield.
The PSV midfielder demonstrated his quality in the 2007/08 season when he played a starring role in his side’s 1-0 Uefa Cup 1st leg win over Spurs at White Hart Lane. His ability to beat his marker on the outside or inside was perfectly illustrated in this match as the Spurs former right-back Pascal Chimbonda a torrid time.
Afellay has also won 19 caps for his country which is impressive in itself when you consider the amount of midfield talent the Dutch boast. He was given the opportunity of playing for either Holland or Morocco but opted for his resident country. He won his first cap under Marco Van Basten in against Slovenia in March 2007 and has since become a permanent fixture in the squad including 3 appearances at Euro 2008. He is widely expected to be part of the Dutch squad at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Benitez will be looking to tie up a deal for the player before the finals as his price-tag could rise rapidly if he performs well at the tournament.
Benitez likes his players to show versatility and the fact that Afellay can play on either flank or as a 2nd striker makes him the perfect addition for Liverpool if they can qualify for the Champions League and raise the necessary £10m to sign him perhaps through the sale or a swap deal involving Babel.
Jansen told Sportweek: “The contract between Ibrahim and PSV expires in June 2011, so we are not in a hurry to renew.
“We decided to take it easy and think carefully before signing any renewal.
“Ibrahim is very happy with what he is doing at PSV and so it is possible that he will stay in Eindhoven.
“But he could also decide to move abroad. At the moment I cannot say anything else. We will see how the situation develops.”
The talented 23-year-old has also been linked to a number of Premier League clubs in the past with Arsenal thought to be very keen prior to the arrival of Andrey Arshavin which ended that interest. Liverpool are certainly looking to add more width and quality to their squad although failure to qualify for the Champions League will scupper their hopes as Afellay is in high demand despite a relatively low-key season for PSV.
The PSV star was born in Utrecht but is of Moroccan descent and came through the ranks at his present club. Afellay made his PSV debut in the 2003/04 season as a 17-year-old but has since become one of the stars of the Dutch giants. In fact, the young star played his part in 4 successive Dutch title wins but hopes of a 5th ended when AZ finished top last season. PSV are once again top this season but are only a point clear of Steve McClaren’s FC Twente.
Last season the club languished in 4th place, a staggering 15 points behind champions AZ. However, although PSV struggled, Afellay certainly didn’t. Last season he enjoyed his most productive season yet with an impressive 13 goals in 28 league appearances (27 starts). This season he has scored just 3 goals in 22 league starts but has been one of the stars of the side prompting interest from Serie A and Liverpool. Benitez has signed Maxi Rodriguez which provides more width to the Reds side but Afellay can play on both flanks as well as being adept at playing as the 2nd striker. He is also more of a dribbler than Rodriguez, Albert Riera or Dirk Kuyt so would give Liverpool a different threat. The future of his compatriot Ryan Babel is less than certain so a proposed swap deal could be on the cards as Babel’s reputation in Holland is still very good.
Despite his age, Afellay has now made 133 League appearances for the club and scored 28 goals. However, PSV’s lack of European football this season has prompted unrest from the winger which could lead to a move to Anfield.
The PSV midfielder demonstrated his quality in the 2007/08 season when he played a starring role in his side’s 1-0 Uefa Cup 1st leg win over Spurs at White Hart Lane. His ability to beat his marker on the outside or inside was perfectly illustrated in this match as the Spurs former right-back Pascal Chimbonda a torrid time.
Afellay has also won 19 caps for his country which is impressive in itself when you consider the amount of midfield talent the Dutch boast. He was given the opportunity of playing for either Holland or Morocco but opted for his resident country. He won his first cap under Marco Van Basten in against Slovenia in March 2007 and has since become a permanent fixture in the squad including 3 appearances at Euro 2008. He is widely expected to be part of the Dutch squad at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Benitez will be looking to tie up a deal for the player before the finals as his price-tag could rise rapidly if he performs well at the tournament.
Benitez likes his players to show versatility and the fact that Afellay can play on either flank or as a 2nd striker makes him the perfect addition for Liverpool if they can qualify for the Champions League and raise the necessary £10m to sign him perhaps through the sale or a swap deal involving Babel.
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