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Agent cools Afellay exit talk

Afellay: Set to stay put

Afellay: Set to stay put

Ibrahim Afellay is expected to stay at Barcelona for the upcoming season after his agent went back on a previous claim the winger could be loaned out.

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The Netherlands international appeared to be heading for the exit door ahead of the new campaign after his representative, Rob Jansen, told Italian media over the weekend there was a possibility Afellay could spent the next 12 months away from the Nou Camp.

The 26-year-old made an initial impact at Barca following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven in January 2011, helping the La Liga giants to UEFA Champions League glory.

But a cruciate ligament injury kept him on the sidelines for much of last season and the Dutchman's opportunities would appear to be limited under Blaugrana coach Tito Vilanova, who has a wide array of attacking talent at his disposal.

However, Jansen has since cooled talk of a loan departure for his client, who has featured regularly for the Catalan outfit in pre-season and started Saturday's penalty shoot-out victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

"Can we completely rule out a summer exit? You never know in football, but it's highly unlikely that he will leave Barcelona," Jansen told Voetbal International.

"At the moment we are not thinking about a departure. Ibrahim likes it at Barca and is playing."

Posted: 07/08/12 16:21

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