Ibrahim Afellay: Arsenal Targeting £6M Dutch Wing Wizard who Destroyed Spurs Last Season
Press reports suggest Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is set to make a move for PSV’s attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay in January. The talented 22-year-old would be an excellent signing for Arsenal as he has the ability to play from either flank or directly in the middle of midfield.
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 Champions. In fact, apart from his debut season the young star has played his part in 4 successive Dutch title wins.
Despite his age, Afellay has made 87 League appearances for the club and scored 16 goals. However, this season the Dutch international has been in sensational form with 4 goals in just 4 League appearances. This has prompted the attention of Arsene Wenger though the youngster has already made a big impact in North London. The PSV midfielder played a starring role in his side’s 1-0 Uefa Cup 1st leg win over Spurs at White Hart Lane last season. His ability to beat his marker on the outside or inside was perfectly illustrated in this match as he gave Pascal Chimbonda a torrid time.
Afellay has also won 11 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.
The youngster would definitely fit into the set-up at the Emirates but whether he comes as cheap as £6m is debatable. After all, he is a regular Dutch international and a key component of PSV’s side.
Have you seen much of Ibrahim Afellay? Do you think the Dutch playmaker would be a good acquisition for the club? Do you need more cover on the flanks with Rosicky struggling with injury and Eboue failing to impress? Let’s hear your views.
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Tags: Arsenal, Holland, Ibrahim Afellay, PSV
October 10th, 2008 at 10:13
I think we need someone who can play a useful role in the team. Anyway I understand Juventus want to buy Eboue in the January sales, I say sell him and get some money and buy someone who can actually stay on his feet for more than a few minutes and is an asset to the team. Anyway who knows he may be able to score goals unlike Adebayor who needs several attempts to score one and RvP who will probably be out until the end of the season with his new injury. So I would say yes go for it.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:18
Well worth buying, he tore Spurs to shreds last season at 3 points lane. Can play either side or in the hole…a bit Ronaldo-esque but without the smugness
October 10th, 2008 at 10:55
I hear hes going to sign for Spurs, 6m is a bit much for Arsenal to pay isnt it? We all know Wenger doesnt like to splash the cash
October 10th, 2008 at 11:06
He looks about as good as the videos for Prince-Boateng, before tottenham bought him. Also looks very much like Tarabat for tottenham, too young and no sense of team work, trying to do all the tricks he knows to beat 4+ players, losing the ball after 2 or 3. Shooting from miles out.
I’d say leave him well alone. Dutch league is no comparison to the premiership. He’d do well in the Championship, or the SPL tho.
G.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:08
hey topspur…u said wenger doesnt like 2 splash cash but look at wat juande has done after splashing cash?? jack all.. only 2 points lol hahah… we dont spend like u guys… we do ur research
October 10th, 2008 at 13:12
“Destroyed spurs last season” you’ve got to having a laugh! I think you’ll find he was ineffective in both legs of the tie. I watched this guy closely expecting big things from, but he ultimately failed to deliver
October 10th, 2008 at 14:21
Arail are you having a laugh? He murdered us at the Lane…took Chimbonda to the cleaners until he tried to break him in half….what game were you watching??
March 21st, 2009 at 22:55
6 mn? What a joke, he isn’t leaving for less than 15 mn.
If Arsenal wants to have Afellay they will have to pay a least 15 mn since that is the agreement.