Opportunity for Iniesta to leave Barcelona continues to open up Barcelona Could exit in the upcoming summer or winter market

It looks like Andres Iniesta's time at Barcelona could be coming to an end after the player publicly admitted he might make a switch to Chinese football, meaning the Catalan giants would need to adapt to life without their star man.

However, this idea of the captain departing from the club is not anything new.

Iniesta started the conversation at the end of the previous season after his bad experience under former coach Luis Enrique.

But, in the end he chose to stay and renewed a life-long contract with Barcelona, in which he has the freedom to leave whenever he wants.

He can leave for free so long as it is not a club that competes with Barcelona, which isn't expected to become a factor.

Therefore, the time put on making decision is before April 30.

It is not easy in any way, as the situation has changed since last June. The arrival of Ernesto Valverde has been very beneficial for the captain, as the new coach has trusted him from day one.

Valverde opts to start Iniesta in the majority of their matches, even though he rarely completes the entire 90 minutes on the field.

This time around, his situation is more positive because he has once again felt his importance to the team.

For that reason, the playmaker doubts whether it is better to leave in the summer or wait for the winter market.

He has proposals from China that offer him a lot of money and there is also interest from the United States. If Iniesta leaves in the summer, he would arrive at his new destination mid-season.

On the other hand, if he left in January, he could start the season from the beginning, adapting little by little to his new life.

Therefore, this option seems to be the most logical if the clubs are willing to keep their offers.

Blaugrana response

Iniesta's potential departure does not catch Barcelona by surprise.

The possibility has already been known since summer and the club have been preparing the team for when he is no longer there.

Their immediate action was signing Philippe Coutinho, who arrived in the winter market and the idea is that, if the captain leaves in the summer, by the beginning of next year the Brazilian should be perfectly adapted to his new life in Barcelona.

In addition, the second step occurred a few days ago when the Catalan giants closed the deal with Arthur from Gremio.

The moment Iniesta leaves, this signing will be activated, either in this market or in the winter of 2019.

Therefore, it looks like Barcelona already have the replacements ready for Iniesta's departure.