Departing Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta says he will make a decision on the next step of his career “next week”.
Club captain Iniesta announced last month that he would be leaving the club where he’s been since the age of 12, with a move to either China or Japan in the offing.
“There are two scenarios, China or Japan, and each has its advantages,” he told Spanish radio Onda Cero overnight Monday.
“There are some minor details to be sorted out, we’re weighing everything up and will pick which one we decide is the best option.
“Next week, when everything is over, we’ll decide. Then, there’s the World Cup, I want to get this resolved so that I can focus.
Iniesta hinted that he does have a preference between the two choices, although he didn’t reveal which one.
“One option is more advanced than the other,” the midfielder said.
China’s Chongqing Lifan and Japan’s Vissel Kobe – who are owned by Barcelona sponsors Rakuten – were both forced to deny speculation that they had made big-money approaches for the 34-year-old.
Iniesta’s latest comments indicate that a move to Australia, which had been suggested in Spanish media, is not an option being considered.
The Spaniard, who is a wine producer, added that the economics of any new deal are “relatively important”, as he is eager to take his wine label from his native Castilla-La-Mancha region to new markets.
However, Iniesta says that the most important factor is his family, as he seeks a comfortable quality of life for his wife and three children.
The final match of Iniesta’s glittering career at Barcelona will be on Saturday against Real Sociedad, with the home fans at his beloved Camp Nou stadium set to make it a memorable, and emotional, affair.
