Spanish giants Barcelona have long had a relationship with Dutch Players and managers. From the Johann Cruyff era to Kluivert, Cocu, Davids, Van Basten, Overmars and Van Bommel days, Barcelona have built up a reputation as being one of the few clubs that pride themselves in nurturing Dutch talent.
Now, the trend is continuing as the Blaugrana have revealed that they will be signing one of the Netherlands rising stars in the January transfer window. Ibrahim Affelay is set to join Barcelona in January.
Both clubs announced on their websites on Monday that they had reached an agreement for the 24 year old midfielder though the terms of the contract are yet to be finalised.
Afellay’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season. A statement on Barcelona’s official website read:
“PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona have reached an agreement on a deal to bring Ibrahim Afellay to Barca, subject to successfully settling personal terms between the player and the Catalan club over the coming weeks.
“Until the deal is finally settled, Ibrahim Afellay wishes to concentrate on the upcoming important games for PSV.”
Affelay is one of the emerging talents that the Dutch national team are relying on to bring back their long gone glory days when the were a force to reckon with on the world stage.
With amazing talent in the form of Huntelaar, Van Persie, Elia, Sneijder and Stekelenburg, the Netherlands should be one of the teams to closely watch at Euro 2012.
Meanwhile, former Barca midfielder Mark Van Bommel has expressed his delight at being called up to train with the squad ahead of their international friendly against Turkey.
Van Bommel has however rubbished claims that he is not fully fit to play.
“It makes no sense to talk about things that do not matter. I’m fully fit and Mr Rummenigge, (president Uli) Hoeness and coach (Louis) van Gaal thought it was a good idea. I have talked extensively with them.
“I am quite fit and am looking forward to Wednesday. So this week 75% of Bayern Munich players are on the road. I can train here at Oranje with world-class players and play football. That’s just good.”
Photo credit: from mohdezril
