Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay has been told he can leave the club and has chosen Arsenal or Inter as a possible destination.
Reports in Spain claim the 26-year-old’s agent Rob Jansen has admitted he has been told the Dutch international can look for another club, with the player himself understood to favour a move to Serie A or the Premier League.
Despite an injury-ravaged 2011-12 La Liga campaign and a disappointing Euro 2012 with Holland, it is understood that Arsenal are preparing an €8m bid – they tried to sign Afellay two years ago – and are hoping the player’s friendship with Robin van Persie could sway the balance in their favour as Inter are also interested.
It is understood there has also been an enquiry from Lille, although Afellay is not willing to move to the French League at this stage of his career, but Barcelona are still casting eyes towards Athletic Bilbao’s Javi Martinez and need money to finance the €40m being demanded by the Basques.
Tito Vilanova’s men return to pre-season training on Monday and Afellay is expected to join them despite not being due back until Wednesday due to his Euro 2012 commitments.
