Tottenham Hotspur target Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay

 

Ibrahim Afellay

As Barcelona’s manager Gerardo Martino concedes that the reigning La Liga champions may be forced to allow Ibrahim Afellay to leave the club on loan, Tim Sherwood is on red alert and reportedly keen on bringing the Dutch attacker to White Hart Lane.

The Metro reports that Tottenham may be set to experience an active end to the currently ongoing January transfer window, which may see departures as well as new additions.

One such addition currently being considered by the North London club is Afellay, who joined Barcelona from PSV in 2011 and had previously attracted interest from Liverpool and Arsenal. However, injuries have blighted the 26-year-old’s career at the Nou Camp, including a thigh complaint which has seen him sidelined for the past five months.

Although now fit and ready to return, Barca boss Martino revealed his concerns that the player may wish to leave on loan in search of a club more likely to offer him playing-time.

‘Ibrahim is back fit and he looks very strong in training,’ Martino said.

‘Our plan is that he will stay here, but we can’t rule out an exit. He might leave.’

Ibrahim Afellay only made ten appearances during his brief loan stint at Schalke during the previous season, but did manage to record a pass completion rate of 90%.