SV Eindhoven midfielder and Dutch international, Ibrahim Afellay (23), burst into laughter several times, during the PSV New Year reception, held yesterday. This happened everytime the name of ‘dream club’ FC Barcelona fell in his presence. In recent weeks, his name has been associated with the Catalan club in the press.

”Yes, I’ve heard it from a few friends”, grinned Afellay, who has a contract with PSV until mid-2011. ”I don’t read newspapers anymore, because what’s inside is often not true. Anyway, from Barcelona, I really know nothing, neither does my agent.”

Afellay, who has been one of the stars of PSV during this season, agreed that he would “in principle” remain in Eindhoven at least until summer. Afellay was asked, what he would do if a club of Barcelona’s stature contacted him during this transfer window: “Well, what would you do?” replied the coveted Dutch international. That opportunity was stated by Barcelona’s coach Josep Guardiola as “very small”. In a press conference held on Monday, Guardiola stressed the fact that there would be no reinforcements in the winter.

The name of Afellay, and Sporting CP midfielder and Portuguese international Miguel Veloso (23), was linked with FC Barcelona because the club will miss Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure, during the month of January due to the African Cup of Nations. Guardiola has said, that it’s better to give the young players a chance.

Several Spanish sources, including Sport and Marca, are reporting that Inter Milan midfielder and French international, Patrick Vieira (33), is rumoured to be a target of several European top clubs, including Barcelona. Manchester City and Lyon are also strong candidates to sign Vieira during winter transfer market.

Speaking to Marca, Lyon’s special adviser Bernard Lacombe spoke about both clubs’ interest, saying: “Patrick has a lot of offers. Barcelona would like to recruit him, to make up for the loss of Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita during the African Nations Cup. They would give him an 18 month contract. However he would play less when these players return, and this concerns him, because he wants to play in the World Cup.”

Manchester City still remain favourites to sign Vieira, but it is clear that they still face plenty of competition.