The 26-year-old has struggled to make an impact at the Spanish club since his switch from PSV Eindhoven in January 2011 because of injuries.

The winger missed most of last season with a serious cruciate ligament injury but has since returned to full fitness and joined up with the Dutch squad for their disappointing Euro 2012 campaign.

And, despite featuring in a number of pre-season friendly matches under new boss Tito Vilanova, Afellay could again find himself marginalised now the club’s Spanish Euro 2012 players have returned from their holidays.

“Afellay could go out on loan for a year,” his representative Rob Jansen told Italian reporters over the weekend. “Yes, that is a possibility.”

The comments are likely to spark a frantic race across Europe for his signature with Serie A clubs Inter Milan, Lazio, AC Milan and Fiorentina, as well as Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund and French club Lille all reportedly interested in the talented winger.

Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Afellay in the past.

Very unlikely

However, Jansen later suggested that it is unlikely that Afellay will be leaving Barcelona, despite the wealth of interest.

“I won’t take such messages too seriously,” Jansen told Voetbal International.

“Of course, there are a lot of clubs interested, but that has always been the chase. Ibrahim had not yet signed for Barca and other clubs were already on the phone.

“A move away from FC Barcelona is not currently an issue. Ibrahim feels good and plays for Barca.

“There is no reason to leave. Is a departure entirely excluded? It’s football, but it is very unlikely.”

The newly-promoted side have failed to persuade the 23-year-old target-man to join them from Liverpool in a £2million season-long loan deal.

Carroll does not appear to be central to Brendan Rodgers’ plans at Anfield and that had opened up the possibility of a switch but the player himself is thought to be unwilling to make the move.

Allardyce is disappointed with that decision – as he believes the arrival of the England international could have ensured a successful season.

“I would have probably stuck my neck out and said we would almost certainly stay up with him on board,” Allardyce told The People.

“We wouldn’t have thought we would have had any chance of signing a player of Andy Carroll’s capabilities but it became clear a couple of weeks ago there was a possibility of a loan.

“Unfortunately, at this moment, it’s not the case.”

Delighted

Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan is hoping that situation changes as he would welcome the opportunity to link up with his former Newcastle team-mate once again.

“I would be delighted if Andy would come and join us here,” Nolan told the Daily Star.

“I am not too sure whether Brendan Rodgers will let him leave but there is lots of speculation – there always is surrounding Andy.

“If there is a chance, we would be in the reckoning for him because he is such a quality player.”

The Uruguay international is under contract with Porto until the summer of 2016 and is valued at around €30million (£23.8m).

However, he has reportedly attracted the interest of a number of leading European clubs, including Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool.

Paris St Germain, Napoli and Juventus have also been linked with the 26-year-old, whose representative believes a departure from Porto could happen.

Flavio Perchmen told Antena 1: “I spoke with Alvaro last week and he is calm. We are waiting to find out if there is any offer.

“We think everything will go well and that he can leave the club, but right now we do not have any concrete offer.”