Barcelona Transfer News: Andres Iniesta's Rumoured China Club Revealed

Andres Iniesta will reportedly leave Barcelona at the end of the current campaign to join Chinese Super League side Chongqing Dangdai Lifan.

According to The Independent, the iconic midfielder is ready to call time on his incredible career at Barcelona, where he has won 29 major honours. Iniesta is set to add a 30th with Barcelona in control of the La Liga title race and can secure another in this Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Sevilla.

It appears unlikely to extend beyond 31, though, as the 33-year-old looks on the brink of a new challenge in China.

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague also stated Iniesta will move to Chongqing Dangdai Lifan this summer:

According to Moises Llorens of AS, the playmaker will confirm he is to leave the Camp Nou on Saturday at the conclusion of the Copa final. It's added he is likely to sign a three-year deal with his new club.

Recently, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde admitted he wasn't sure whether Iniesta would remain at the club, per Goal UK:

The potential departure of the legendary player has come as a shock to some, as Iniesta appeared set to start and end his career with the Blaugrana.

After all, it was only in October when the Spain international signed a contract extension with Barcelona. According to an accompanying statement on the club's website, Iniesta had "signed a lifetime contract with Barcelona on Friday, in a deal that will keep him at the club for the rest of his career."

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However, after Barcelona's recent elimination from the UEFA Champions League against Roma, Iniesta fuelled rumours about a potential exit. He admitted "it's possible" that the 3-0 defeat was his final game for the Blaugrana in the competition, per Football Espana.

As we can see here, there aren't many players who have made such a massive impression on European football's stage:

Although he's past his absolute peak, Iniesta is by no means finished at the top level. He's been a crucial part of a Barcelona team that has gone through 33 games of the current La Liga season unbeaten. His touch, awareness and passing range also remain unrivalled.

Yet there have been some signs Barcelona have been planning for his potential departure, most notably the big-money January acquisition of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool. Rafael Hernandez of Grup14 believes there are significant differences between the two, though:

Nevertheless, if Iniesta does leave the Blaugrana his departure will be lamented, as he's one of Barca's greatest-ever players and one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

After so long at Barcelona, Iniesta may be looking forward to a new opportunity and some time out of the spotlight. Regardless of where he goes, the 33-year-old's legacy as one of the all-time greats will remain intact.