Spurs chasing Barca outcast Afellay in bid to bolster attack

Barcelona-owned attacker Ibrahim Afellay is being linked with a move to the Premier League with Tottenham in the summer, according to Spanish press, when he will be out of contract.

The Netherlands international has had a frustrating spell with the Catalan giants (1/6 odds-on favourites to win La Liga with Coral) since joining from PSV in 2011, as injuries have restricted his playing time.

Although the 29-year-old has won much silverware with Barca, including the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey, he has spent two seasons away on loan with Schalke and now Olympiakos.

Spurs could be the club to rescue the 49-capped star, and will be looking to bolster their ranks in attack, and especially on the wing at the end of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are currently in seventh place in the Premier League, but have now slipped to being six points off the top four, although they are still tempting 16/1 chances to finish there.

It is said that the Argentine boss is set to sell a number of attacking players in the summer, with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela all flopping again this term.

If Afellay were to join the north London outfit, he would represent a low-risk signing compared to the others, due to being a Bosman acquisition.

Since the Dutchman joined Greek club Olympiakos at the beginning of the season, his impressive performances have led to him being recalled to the national side for the Netherlands by Guus Hiddink.

In 29 appearances in all competitions this term so far for his temporary club, he has netted six times, including against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and set up four.

I would be interesting to see how Spurs’ newest superstar Harry Kane would link up with another creative player, as he has done so brilliantly with Christian Eriksen so far. With Nacer Chadli on the opposite flank to Afellay, Tottenham could be a force to be reckoned with next season.