Report: Afellay bound for Italy

Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay could be on his way to either Inter Milan or Lazio, reports have claimed.

The two clubs were interested in signing the 27-year-old last off-season but could not reach an agreement with Barca – who only wanted to let the Dutchman leave on loan – with the player eventually joining Schalke for the 2012-13 campaign.

However, the Catalans are ready to let go of the midfielder on a permanent basis at the end of this season according to Goal.com, with Afellay having fallen down the pecking order at Camp Nou.

His current club have set a six-million-euro asking price for the versatile midfielder, and Inter and Lazio are monitoring his situation closely.

Afellay joined Barcelona from PSV in January 2011 and helped them to Champions League glory in his first six months at the club.

A torn knee ligament kept him out of action for the majority of his second season, while injuries have prevented him from making an impact in Gelsenkirchen too.

The midfielder’s contract with Barcelona runs until mid-2015.