Sneijder wants PSV’s Afellay to join him at Inter Milan
Published:As soon as Ibrahim Afellay announced he wouldn’t be taking up PSV’s offer of a new contract, a fierce bidding war broke out to try to secure his signature.
The Dutch international has spent his whole career at PSV, making 149 appearances for the club and scoring 41 goals.
He’s also acted as the club’s captain for the last two seasons, but confirmed he will leave Holland in an interview he gave this week.
He said “I feel that it’s time to go abroad. I have had a great time in PSV and I still enjoy playing here. But every footballer wants to try to reach the highest level possible. I think now is right to make the leap.”
Among the clubs linked with Afellay’s signature are Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
There’s also been strong interest from Barcelona who are said to regard Afellay as a cheaper alternative for the incresingly unavailable Cesc Fabregas.
Afellay’s Dutch team mate Wesley Sneijder has urged him to consider joining him at Inter.
Sneijder said “Afellay is ready to leave the Netherlands. To [the city of] Milan would be good. I told him this personally, he knows how highly we regard him at Inter.”
Afellay himself indicated in an interview last week that he would like a move to the Premier League, with Old Trafford or Anfield his preferred destinations.
“Playing in the Premier League would be best for my prestige. I’d like to play for Liverpool or Manchester United , the top-level prospect for any player” he said.
Afellay’s decisions is unlikely to have too much effect on PSV’s chances against Vitesse this weekend.
They crushed Feyenoord 10-0 last time out and are 2/7 to win again this weekend, with their opponents way back at 7/1.
PSV are only 14/1 to record a 4-1 win away at Vitesse, who lost by the same score at home to Utrecht last week.
Wesley Sneijder is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or at 2/1, follow the full market here.
