Tottenham enter race for Barcelona star - statistics and video

Arsenal and Tottenham battled it out for that all elusive fourth place spot in the Premier League last season which only intensified their rivalry, and with the Gunners securing the Champions League place they may well have dealt another blow with the departure of Gareth Bale a real chance. However, there is a new prize for whoever wins this race, according to the Metro, and that is in the shape of Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay.

The Netherlands international was in roaring form during the early stages of his loan to Schalke but  a nasty injury put him out for the season after just 10 league appearance in Germany, but the 27-year-old is now back to full health, touch wood, and is available at a cut-price deal.

In the 10 games that he did play, Affelay scored two goals, created six chances and finished with a shot accuracy of 67%. His pass accuracy of 90% ranks highest in the entire Schalke squad and his duel success puts him fifth in the pecking order of outfield players.

Should either of the north London outfits secure a deal for the attacking midfielder-stroke-winger then it could turn out to be a very, very shrewd piece of business. 

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