Andres Iniesta offered £600,000-a-week deal in Chinese Super League as Lionel Messi‘s contract demands puts strain on Barcelona spending power
ANDRES INIESTA rejected almost £600,000-a-week to swap Barcelona for China, according to reports in Spain.
The Catalan legend is out of contract at the Nou Camp in 2018 and has two Chinese Super League offers, with crazy perks like being excused from away games.
Andres Iniesta has been reduced to a bit-part player this season at BarcaGetty Images
The magic midfielder is represented by defender-turned-agent Carles Puyol and the pair were allegedly unimpressed by Barca’s most recent contract offer.
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The 32-year-old, dubbed ‘The Illusionist’ by his devoted Barca fans has been offered a two-year extension by the La Liga side but Leo Messi is getting in the way.
Barcelona bosses are scrimping wherever they can so they can claw together enough to offer the world’s best player a massive new contract to keep Premier League suitors like Man City away.
Lionel Messi is a god in Barcelona but his contract demands are outting pressure on the clubAP:Associated PressIniesta has had to watch on as Messi’s skill and value have made him Barca’s No1 priorityGetty Images
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Carles Puyol is now working behind the scenes as Iniesta’s agentAP:Associated PressThe former Barcelona and Spain defender is working on a new deal for IniestaGetty Images
And Iniesta is becoming more of a luxury than a necessity in the twilight of his playing career.
The genius playmaker – who turns 33 in May – has started just eight league games this season and been subbed off in three of those.
Ivan Rakitic, as well as young midfielders Sergi Roberto and Denis Suarez, have knocked him down the pecking order.
And under-pressure head coach Luis Enrique is not picking his side on sentiment or reputation.
The midfielder has a couple of offers on the table from China with crazy money and perksEPA
It’s hard to imagine Iniesta in anything but a Barca short but Xavi’s move to Qatar – ending his one-club man status – proved that anything is possible.
However, if the Spain international wants to guarantee his place in the Russia 2018 World Cup squad he might be advised against a move to China.
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