Andres Iniesta Confirms China Offer, Considering Barcelona Departure

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta is considering an offer to play in the Chinese Super League after the end of the season and has six weeks to decide whether to leave the Catalan club, per Rik Sharma for Reuters (via the Daily Mail). 

The Spain international has been at the heart of Barca's success in recent years and was given a standing ovation at the Camp Nou when he was replaced by Paulinho in the 56th minute of the UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg win over Chelsea on Wednesday.

"I must decide before April 30 whether to stay at Barcelona or go to China," Iniesta said during a post-match interview. "I have to weigh up which is best for me and for the club."

Lluis Miguelsanz for Sport first reported the 33-year-old had a "formal offer" from Tianjin Quanjian on February 16, although the club have since denied this, releasing a statement declaring the "reports are untrue," per Dom Farrell for Goal.

Iniesta did not name the Chinese club in question when informing reporters of his offer, but a move away from the Camp Nou is available to the Spaniard, as Barca manager Ernesto Valverde also confirmed.

"I don't know [what he will do], it's a very personal decision, he has to decide," he said, per Sharma. "He has his reasons and will decide what's best for him."

That Iniesta is even considering a move might come as a shock to Barcelona fans, since he signed a lifetime contract with the club in October, the first of its kind at the Camp Nou, per Barcelona's official website.

Iniesta said the contract meant he was "staying at my home" and he "could never be anywhere better then here."

The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner played a vital role in the 3-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday to help his side reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It was the 31st game of the season in all competitions in which Iniesta has featured, and only two of those were substitute appearances.

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However, despite being a major component of the Barcelona team, which is still on for an unbeaten La Liga season and a famous treble, Iniesta has not yet decided what his next career move will be.

Fans will be hoping the club legend—he has played more than 400 times for Barcelona and won 17 La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles—remains at the Camp Nou, but in the meantime can only echo Valverde's hopeful statement.

"I'm not thinking of a Barcelona without Andres Iniesta," he said, per Sharma, "because right now we have a Barcelona with Andres Iniesta."