http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ibrahim-Afellay-c16547 has decided to move to German side, Schalke, and all that is left now is the final agreement to his value.
The Dutch midfielder has been looking for a transfer away from Barcelona and elite clubs such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429, and Tottenham were all trying to lure him during the summer transfer window.
After careful deliberation, the young Dutchman chose the Bundesliga over the English Premier League, going for the third-place league finishers, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Schalke-04-c39204.
After realizing he won’t be getting much game-time in this season, the young midfielder decided to talk to his agent about getting a transfer.
Afellay got a response from Liverpool, however, the Dutch midfielder/winger declined the eighth-place EPL finishers.
After serious talks between Afellay and Tottenham, the young Dutchman decided to go to Schalke, who are playing in the Champions League this season.
"I want to welcome Afellay to Schalke 04. Training session tomorrow at four. Don't forget!," tweeted Schalke’s striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who is also a Dutch national.
The Dutch player’s agent stated that they are, "going to discuss the type of transaction, which could be either a loan or a transfer."
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078. We're looking at a year-long loan, which we're after because
a transfer is a long way off."
The Dutchman’s stats are quite promising. With 35 goals in 159 matches for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven, Barcelona brought him into their ranks in 2011, where they played him for 20 matches in which he scored once.
Internationally, the 26-year-old has also did well by scoring goals for his country, and being a member of Netherland’s starting 11 in the Euro 2012.
With fellow Dutch striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar-c21175, and Schalke’s Dutch manager, Huub Stevens, Afellay should be able to adjust well in the German team’s squad.
Schalke 04 finished third last season in the Bundesliga, winning 20 of their 34 matches and ending with 64 points.
It seems like Schalke’s last minute transfer, or loan, may be able to help them improve even further.
Along with that, by playing in the Champions League, and getting more game-time than Barcelona, Afellay has an opportunity to grow as a player, and become one of the best.
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