In-demand Ibrahim Afellay will not sign new contract with PSV Eindhoven
Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven have confirmed that Ibrahim Afellay will not sign a new deal with the club.
While PSV were keen to hang on to Afellay, the attacking midfielder — who is the subject of interest by several clubs including English Premier League giants Arsenal, La Liga side Athetico Madrid and European
champions Inter Milan — will be out of contract at the end of the season and free to move to any club he wishes.
However, the 24-year-old could be on the move in January as PSV will not want to lose their prize asset for nothing and Afellay has told the club he would like to make sure they are adequately compensated
for his departure.
'Contract extension no longer a realistic option'
A statement issued on the club’s official website on Friday, 22 October, said that: "PSV and Ibrahim Afellay have reached the conclusion that a contract extension is no longer a realistic option for various
reasons.
"PSV are disappointed that a successful collaboration will come to an end. However, the club is satisfied with the terms we've agreed with Ibrahim. He has promised the club that he'll do his utmost to
make sure he doesn't leave the club without a reasonable compensation."
The player has been with PSV since 1996, when he joined the youth academy. He made his debut in a Dutch Cup match in February 2004 and has hardly looked back since.
Afellay has gone on to establish himself as a key part of the PSV first-team, making 149 appearances in the Eredivisie and scoring 41 goals as the club won four league titles between 2004 and 2008.
The attacker has also made the breakthrough into the Holland national team, having made his debut in March 2007. He was part of the Holland squad which reached the 2010 FIFA World Cup final in South Africa.
Tags: