‘I want to retire here‘
Speculation about Andres Iniesta’s future hit the media recently after he reportedly refused to sign a new deal at current club, Barcelona. The reports also stated that Manchester United and Manchester City have been monitoring this situation closely.
There had been claims that Iniesta’s contract talks stalled due to the fact that he wanted more money. However Iniesta has come out strongly to refute these claims in the media himself, stating:
“It has nothing to do with money or whether I am the second, third, fourth or fifth best paid player. What motivates me is knowing that I have some good years ahead in which I can keep improving and growing as a player.”
Another possible reason as to why last year’s European Player of the Year may have been reluctant to sign an extension is due to the fact that he has had a reduced role to play in the team so far this season. It seems that new boss Tata Martino initially prefers Fabregas to Iniesta as the campaign has seen him being benched four times already – something that was unimaginable last season.
However it seems that Iniesta has taken it positively:
“Nobody likes being dropped, but it happens to us all. You have to takes things as they come. The manager has to make decisions, and the first thing in his mind is the good of the team.”
In what was always one of the most unlikeliest transfer stories of recent times, Barcelona’s magician pledged his allegiance to the Blaugrana, offering further clarity when confirming that he is not in a state of war with the club:
“I have said many times that my aim is to retire here and the club wants the same.”
