Iniesta puts April 30 deadline on Barcelona future

Dom Farrell

Iniesta puts April 30 deadline on Barcelona future image

Barcelona great Andres Iniesta has said will reach a decision on his future by the end of April. 

Iniesta returned from a hamstring injury to help Barca to a 3-0 win over Chelsea at Camp Nou on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi's brace inspiring a 4-1 aggregate triumph in the last-16 tie.

The 33-year-old signed a "lifetime" contract extension earlier this season but his future has been the subject of mounting speculation over recent weeks.

Tianjin Quanjian were linked with a move for Iniesta, although the Chinese Super League club have issued a statement strongly denying any interest.

"The club will know before you [the media]," Iniesta told reporters after the Chelsea match.

"I have until April 30 to decide if I stay. I have to evaluate what's [best] for me and for the club."

Barcelona join Real Madrid and Sevilla among the Spanish contingent in the quarter-finals.

Madrid and Sevilla enjoyed impressive wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United respectively and Iniesta is keen to steer clear of Barca's La Liga counterparts in Friday's draw.

"I want to avoid the Spaniards because we know each other too well," he added.

"We achieved the goal of reaching the quarter-finals against a tough opponent like Chelsea and that's our happiness."

Dom Farrell

Dom Farrell Photo

Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.