Barcelona to sign PSV's Afellay in January, was it really necessary?

[Elano]

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Holland midfielder Ibrahim Afellay from PSV Eindhoven in January.

The deal was announced on both clubs' websites on Monday evening though a contract is still to be agreed between the Spanish champions and the player, but if all goes to plan then the Holland international will move to the Nou Camp when the January transfer window opens on New Year's Day.

A statement on Barcelona's official website read: "PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona have reached an agreement on a deal to bring Ibrahim Afellay to Barca, subject to successfully settling personal terms between the player and the Catalan club over the coming weeks.

"Until the deal is finally settled, Ibrahim Afellay wishes to concentrate on the upcoming important games for PSV."

The 24-year-old Afellay's contract with PSV was due to expire at the end of the season and it was announced last month that he would not be penning a new deal with the Dutch outfit, with whom he has spent his whole career so far.

Afellay played at the World Cup for his country but only made two substitute appearances as the Dutch reached the final but lost to the countrymen of the club where he will ply his trade from the beginning of 2011.

[Furor Teutonicus]

Maybe Xavi and Iniesta needed a new sparrings-partner?

[IRAN iz Gangsta!]

no and it was stupid paying so much for macherano, he doesnt even play, he made a mistake of leaving liverpool just to warm bench at barca
i dont understand these teams that just buy all the good players and dont play them, sort of a waste and kills the balance and competition

['EclipZe]

If they waited till the end of this season, they would've got him for free.

[Elano]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/0ckqJq2OoL4" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/0ckqJq2OoL4</a>
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[Furor Teutonicus]

I can't understand how players prefer  $$$ over playtime. They earn a shitload of money anyway, why do they sign with clubs where they end up on the bench?
On the long run, you earn more if you keep your career going. I could name enough players whose career was over after they signed to a big club and ended on the bench.

[Elano]

I can't understand how players prefer  $$$ over playtime. They earn a shitload of money anyway, why do they sign with clubs where they end up on the bench?
On the long run, you earn more if you keep your career going. I could name enough players whose career was over after they signed to a big club and ended on the bench.

Afellay is young and i'm sure there will be enough playtime for him in this team,even if we are talking about barcelona

[IRAN iz Gangsta!]

I can't understand how players prefer  $$$ over playtime. They earn a shitload of money anyway, why do they sign with clubs where they end up on the bench?
On the long run, you earn more if you keep your career going. I could name enough players whose career was over after they signed to a big club and ended on the bench.

yup! there have been alot and a team like barca has other players like jeffren and nolito as forwards on bench + probably others from their youth squads they're not revealing yet.  Just like how pedro came out of nowhere last year. 

Players like affelay would've been better off going to some other big teams (liverpool, juventus) that arent doing good and help them become good again, then work their way up to higher salary