Ibrahim Afellay: Arsenal Launch £7.5M Bid for Dazzling Dutchman

Press reports suggest a number of Serie A’s biggest clubs are vying for the signature of PSV’s attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay alongside Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. 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 the Emirates for a cut-price fee as he only has a year left on his current contract.

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 24-year-old has also been linked to a number of Premier League clubs in the past with Arsenal long-term admirers of the talented Dutchman. The Gunners have plenty of talent in their midfield but Afellay’s ability to play on either flank or in the hole would give the North Londoners more options. The PSV star is renowned for his ability to beat defenders through trickery as well as pace and would give Wenger’s team another dimension to their attack. Theo Walcott’s form on the right has been hit and miss while Samir Nasri is more of a passer than a dribbler on the left. Andrei Arshavin was also disappointing last season and has openly declared that he does not favour a place on the left-flank.

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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 in the 2008/09 season. PSV once again missed out on the title last season as FC Twente finished top fuelling Afellay’s desire to move with Arsenal in pursuit.

During the 2008/09 season PSV languished in 4th place, a staggering 15 points behind champions AZ. However, although PSV struggled, Afellay certainly didn’t. He enjoyed his most productive season yet with an impressive 13 goals in 28 league appearances (27 starts). Last season he scored just 4 goals in 29 league starts but was still one of the stars of the side prompting interest from Serie A and the Gunners. He is also more of a dribbler than Walcott, Arshavin or Nasri so would give Arsenal another weapon in their pursuit of silverware. Afellay’s compatriot Robin Van Persie has reportedly spoken in glowing terms to his club manager Arsene Wenger about his national team-mate’s talent and the PSV star has expressed a strong interest in a move to the Emirates.

Despite his age, Afellay has now made 140 League appearances for the club and scored 29 goals. However, PSV’s lack of European football this season has prompted unrest from the winger which could lead to a move to the Emirates where Champions League football has been virtually guaranteed.

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 he Spurs former right-back Pascal Chimbonda a torrid time. That display proved to be many doubters that Afellay could cope with the physical nature of Premier League sides and excel. Despite his slight physique, Arsene Wenger is confident he can be a huge hit at Arsenal.

Afellay has also won 26 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 and three substitute appearances at the World Cup in South Africa. Fortunately for Arsenal, a bit part role in Holland’s march to the final means Afellay’s price-tag is unlikely to have increased.

Wenger 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 Arsenal especially since they’ve been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. A fee of £7.5m has been touted in the Dutch press and the Gunners are unlikely to baulk at such a figure.

Have you seen much of Ibrahim Afellay? Do you think the Dutch playmaker would be a good acquisition for Arsenal? Let’s hear your views.

Tags: Arsenal, Holland, Ibrahim Afellay, PSV

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