Arsenal and Liverpool set for second La Liga transfer battle?

By Staff Writer
Updated: 25 August, 2012

Arsenal and Liverpool could be set to battle for another La Liga star as Mundo Deportivo report both clubs are still keen on Barcelona star Ibrahim Afellay.

Liverpool have just beaten the Gunners to the signature of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin and the Anfield side are understood to have renewed their interest in Afellay, despite reports suggesting he has rejected a move to Brendan Rodgers side.

Recent reports from Mundo Deportivo claimed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was contemplating making a bid to take the Dutch international to the Emirates Stadium, two years after Arsenal were first linked with the player, however, the club were also linked with Jesus Navas of Sevilla last week.

Afellay spent the majority of last season absent through injury, although he did return towards the end of the campaign and was part of the Netherlands squad that crashed out of Euro 2012 at the group stage. MD also claim Afellay is wanted by Italian giants Inter.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have been busy during the summer transfer window with a number of new faces arriving at both clubs. In addition to Sahin, Brendan Rodgers has brought Joe Allen, Fabio Borini and Oussama Assaidi to Anfield, while Arsenal welcome Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Spanish star Santi Cazorla to the Emirates.

Follow @icentrocampista