Liverpool and Arsenal alerted as Afellay considers future

Liverpool and Arsenal target Ibrahim Afellay is considering his future after Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova informed the winger he would have a peripheral role at the Nou Camp next season, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

Afellay cut his summer holiday short to seek talks with Vilanova and the new Barcelona boss, who replaced Pep Guardiola earlier this summer, has informed the Dutchman that he will be little more than a squad player next term.

Injuries have hampered Afellay’s progress since arriving at Barcelona from PSV in January 2011 - he has managed just eight league starts in a season and a half - and the 26-year-old is now exploring options from a string of suitors.

talkSPORT revealed yesterday that the Dutchman has ruled out a switch to French club Lille as he is mindful of interest from Arsenal and Inter Milan.

And Liverpool are also rumoured to be monitoring Afellay’s situation as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his side’s attacking options ahead of the new season.