With the club set to lose out on the signatures of Xherdan Shaqiri and Eden Hazard, Liverpool are once again being linked with a move for Ibrahim Afellay as an alternative wing target.

Shaqiri has agreed to move to Bayern Munich at the end of this season and has reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with the Bundesliga giants while Hazard has reportedly announced his intentions to move to Tottenham in the summer.

Afellay hasn’t exactly found first team appearances easy to come by at the Camp Nou this season but is still a talent in the Primera Division; one which Liverpool are looking to recruit to the Anfield cause.

Despite signing Stewart Downing for a fee of around £20m over the summer transfer window, Kenny Dalglish is still hoping to sign further reinforcements for the position in 2012.

Alberto Aquilani, Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt have all been associated with exits from the Merseyside outfit and their sales could go a long way towards freeing up cash and squad space for an Afellay transfer.

The 25 year-old has only made two appearances for Barça this season and although this is largely down to injury, he may be tempted by the move away as he searches for more first team football.

If a move does come about, Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking for a fee of £12m for his Dutch international, something New England Sports Ventures may be willing to part with after showing their commitment to spending in the past.