Barcelona is watching Ibrahim Afellay's season with Schalke 04 with great pleasure, after the Dutchman joined the German club on a season-long loan last summer. He's been outstanding in recent games and has notched up two goals, all of which is adding value to his stock.

'Ibi' was influential in Schalke's victory over Borussia Dortmund, the current Bundesliga champion, scoring the first of his team's two goals. And last Wednesday his contribution in the victory over Arsenal in London included another goal. This is great news for Barcelona, because in the end, the Catalan club will end up winning, either on a sporting level or a financial level.

The Dutchman is due to return in June. If the performances he churns out remain at the current high level for the whole season, Vilanova will have a more rounded, mature player at his disposal.

And if Vilanova decides he doesn't want him, then Barcelona will be able to sell him for a higher value because his stocks are rising at Schalke. Afellay was a winter purchase and he joined Barcelona for €3 million.

Pep Guardiola brought him in as a bright prospect for the future. Initially it took the attacking player a while to adapt, but it was hoped that 2011 would be his year. However, a knee injury ruled him out for almost the whole season.