Liverpool in Barca fight for Dutch star

Liverpool face strong competition from Barcelona in the race to sign Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is set to leave PSV after admitting it's time to move away from his homeland, and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is thought to have highlighted the player as a potential January target.

"I feel that it's time to go abroad. I have had a great time in PSV and I still enjoy playing here. But every footballer wants to try to reach the highest level possible," Afellay told sport-promotion.nl.

A product of PSV's youth system, Afellay made his senior debut as a teenager in 2003, seven years after first playing in the club's youth academy.

With 149 Eredivisie appearances to his name already, Afellay has a wealth of experience and has played in all the major European club competitions thus far.

However, a move across Europe is seen as the next step to further his career, and Barcelona, Everton, Arsenal and Liverpool are all thought to be keen on the player.

Hodgson has money to spend at Anfield after the takeover by NESV, and the Phillips Stadium club are thought to be after around £10 million for the player's services.

The former Fulham boss is keen to strengthen his attacking options at Liverpool, and has been linked with Ashley Young, Eden Hazard and Chris Brunt to name just three in recent days.

The lure of the Nou Camp could be tough to compete against, and Liverpool will have to move quickly amidst reports from talkSport that the Catalan club have already approached the club.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.