Chongqing cast doubt over Iniesta signing LaLiga - Barcelona Now linked with China move

Following reports of Andres Iniesta's mammoth contract offer from Chongqing Dangdai Lifan, the Chinese club's president, Jiang Lizhang, has released a statment to cast concern over the move going through.

El Mundo have detailed an 81 million euro wage being behind the Barcelona icon's move east, which was thought to be all set to go through after the player announced his exit before the end of the LaLiga season.

However Chongqing moved to quash such rumours on Monday, highlighting three factors that they are evidently concerned about amid the speculation.

The first point insists the club will 'adhere to rational investment' and not 'violate the development prospects of Chinese football', perhaps given the numbers involved in the deall.

The second point states that the club 'will not flout rules over spending'. Chinese teams have a salary cap and large transfer fees are heavily taxed, with it not yet known how Chongqing will fare in these regards once Iniesta completes his much-touted move.

Lastly, the president's statement notes that, while they 'do not rule out what happens in the future' their relationship with Iniesta is based around 'in-depth cooperation between the two parties' which 'does not mean that Iniesta will join the club as a player'.

The statement could be read as a serious push away from Chongqing signing Iniesta, or maybe as an attempt by Lizhang to save face in amongst the rumours floating around about the deal.

Since its release, reports have sprouted up regarding a move to Japan for the playmaker.

According to Radio Catalunya, Rakuten owner Hiroshi Mikitani has et about tying up a deal for Iniesta to play for his team in Japan, Vissel Kobe.

Mikitani's company are the chief sponsor of Barcelona and would theoretically have a line to reach the player, with it said they are confident of making up his economic demands via sponsorship deals in the Asian nation.