Arsenal will face stiff competition from Inter should they choose to follow-up on their long-term interest in Ibrahim Afellay after the player’s agent was informed his client is surplus to requirements at Barcelona, Goal.com can reveal.
The Gunners were previously interested in signing the versatile midfielder in 2011, but were beaten to his signature by the Catalan giants.
An offer in the region of £4.75 million would be enough to lure Afellay away from Barcelona, but the north Londoners will have to battle it out with Inter, who are seriously considering making a move for the former PSV star.
The Blaugrana are keen to cash in on Afellay in order to help generate funds for the transfer of Athletic Bilbao star Javi Martinez, and Jansen has made both Inter and Arsenal aware of the 26-year-old's availability.
Afellay moved to Camp Nou from the Dutch club in January 2011, and made 28 appearances in all competitions during his first six months at the Liga giants.
However, a knee injury kept him sidelined for most of the 2011-12 campaign, and players such as Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello have since broken into the first team, significantly increasing the competition for places in Afellay's positions.
Afellay said earlier this summer that he is keen to prove his worth at Barcelona, but a summer exit seems inevitable as new head coach Tito Vilanova does not have room for the attacking midfielder in his plans.
