MANCHESTER — Rivals Manchester United and Manchester City are to wedge a spanner in the works before Andres Iniesta signs a new deal with Barcelona.
Express
The English Premier League sides are set to take advantage of the delay in Iniesta’s contract renewal with the Spanish champions. The Spain international has spent his entire career at the Nou Camp and has dismissed suggestions that he will leave, but that won’t stop the Mancunian outfits from tempting the creative midfielder.
The 29-year-old spoke of his career prospects ahead of Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia last night in light of the transfer speculations.
“You have to be where you want to be, and Barça is the place for me,” Iniesta told Movistar’s webpage.
“The club knows that and wants me to stay, so I hope and expect to spend the years I have left playing there.”
If Iniesta was to move to England he would follow in the footsteps of Mesut Ozil who left Real Madrid to Arsenal in the summer, but the Spaniard was surprised to see the German leave La Liga.
“I was surprised Real Madrid sold him,” he added.
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“Right now, he is one of the best in the world when it comes to linking up with and getting the most out of other players.” Tata Martino — who has secured a 100% record to the start of the campaign — could be another reason to keep Iniesta at Barca.
“Tata has come in and kept things ticking along,” he added. “The philosophy he believes in and gets across is very similar to the one we have had all along. I am hoping for a great year and that is the way things are shaping up.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Tottenham are on alert after Barcelona winger Christian Tello admitted he could leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old was the subject of interest from a host of European clubs in the summer, with Spurs and Liverpool known admires of the young forward.
The Spain international hasn’t managed to establish himself as a first-team regular at Barça, resulting in Tello hinting that he’ll consider where his future lies at the end of the season.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was rumoured to bring Tello to Anfield in the summer, but the youngster remained determined to fight for his place at the club.
“The coach has confidence in me. I’m happy and ready to play. I knew that Liverpool were interested in me, but I never thought about leaving.”
