“Trust me Ibrahim, we’re going to love it in north London”. Emirates boss plots move for PSV playmaker.
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PSV expect Arsenal to make an approach for Ibrahim Afellay in January but talkSPORT understands Fiorentina are in pole position to land the winger.
Arsene Wenger has admired Afellay for some time and was weighing up a move for the Dutchman in the summer transfer window.
The Arsenal manager’s interest was firm but he decided sorting out his defence was the priority, with a move for Afellay put on hold for the time being.
But the 24-year-old will be free to speak to other clubs this January as his contract expires next summer and Wenger is expected to make his move then.
PSV were desperate for a firm offer this summer as they wanted to raise some money rather than see Afellay leave for nothing.
Fiorentina were the only side to make their intentions to make a bid known but they were put off by PSV’s asking price of £10m.
talkSPORT understands Wenger is still interested in Afellay but sources close to the Dutchman, who starred for Holland at this summer’s World Cup, is top of Fiorentina’s list of targets. (TalkSPORT)
After eight seasons in the PSV first team it seems that Ibrahim Afellay is ready to call it day and will look to leave his Dutch side either in January or next summer and if Arsene Wenger wants to finally capture his long term target he will be best off trying to secure a deal with the Eredivisie side when the transfer window re-opens otherwise he could miss out to Serie A side Fiorentina in the summer.
A move of around £6m would probably suffice and would help win the race ahead of the Italian side who are not doing very well financially of late. Whilst it seems clear that the north London club are in more urgent need of more defensive options, and perhaps another keeper, Arsene will surely not pass up the chance to make a move for a player he has admired for some time.
The adaptable 24 year old would offer Arsenal further attacking options and help provide more ammunition for his strike force. Afellay also has an eye for goal himself and works best as an advanced attacking midfielder or in the hole behind the front men.
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