Manchester City Transfer News: Andres Iniesta on Pep Guardiola Reunion Rumours

Barcelona talisman Andres Iniesta has shot down speculation he could link back up with former Blaugrana boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, insisting he instead plans to retire at the Camp Nou.

Iniesta, 32, is now in his 15th senior season with Barca, but he told Spanish radio station COPE not even his connection with City manager Guardiola could convince him to leave the club (h/t Sky Sports' James Dale):

"

Guardiola knows what I think, what I want, and my desire is ending my career here, like I've said many times. I'm very clear about what I say and what I think, everybody knows it.

I would love to end my career at Barcelona. I have a contract until 2018. We will have to ask the directors whether they want to extend my contract. But I can only repeat that I want to retire at Barcelona.

"

Guardiola spent four years at the Barcelona helm between 2008 and 2012, not to mention building relationships with many players at the Camp Nou prior to assuming those first-team responsibilities.

Despite the fact Iniesta has moved well past the age of 30, he's still showing he's worthy of a spot in current Barca boss Luis Enrique's plans, via Bleacher Report UK:

It was under Guardiola's tutelage that Iniesta & Co. won a historic treble during the 2008-09 season, but even those fond memories won't be enough to tempt the Spain international into a reunion at the Etihad Stadium.

Iniesta is heading toward his twilight years in Catalonia, but the Guardian's Sid Lowe attested to the player having ample air left in his lungs during Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid:

In any case, Guardiola may not need his former Blaugrana ace at the Etihad judging by how life in the Premier League has got under way following his summer arrival.

The Citizens are yet to drop a point in league competition and sit at the Premier League summit, with Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne taking on the role as Guardiola's chief string-puller.

Iniesta would have plenty to bring to the English club's squad in terms of experience, pedigree and no small degree of talent, but his acquisition could also be a mightily expensive one.

Barca chief Enrique also recently outlined Iniesta's ongoing importance to the team, suggesting he wouldn't be the manager to allow the stalwart to leave his squad:

Iniesta's contract isn't due to expire until 2018, and judging by his comments, he's also in the dark as to when he might be able to expect an extension.

That being said, it seems the only way Iniesta and Guardiola might reunite is if the latter completed an impromptu return to his Spanish roots, a situation that's unlikely to materialise anytime soon.