FFA NOT GIVING UP ON INIESTA
FOOTBALL Federation Australia’s audacious bid to lure Andres Iniesta to the A-League is still “a live conversation” based on word from a Spanish intermediary assisting the cause.
It is understood FFA has reached out to an unnamed middleman for help with the Barcelona great’s management, keeping in touch on a daily basis and speaking as recently as yesterday.
While there was no news overnight yesterday, the governing body was left with the impression there was reason to hope Iniesta might be tempted to continue his decorated career in Australia.
FFA chief David Gallop said a number of A-League clubs had expressed interest in signing the ninetime La Liga champion.
The 32-year-old has been linked to China, Japan and Australia since announcing he would not join another European side after leaving Barcelona. He broke his silence on Wednesday to confirm “all possibilities are open”.
Australia’s chances of snaring such a big fish with FFA’s modest $3 million war chest appear slim.
Yet hours after J-League club Vissel Kobe appeared to back away from reports of an offer worth $40 million a season, Gallop said FFA meant business and revealed there were clubs willing to top up any potential offer.
“I won’t name who, but I do understand that ALeague clubs have expressed interest, and that’s a start,” he said.
“He’ll have offers from around the globe but the ALeague offers a great competition to play in and the Australian lifestyle, and we saw with (Alessandro) Del Piero and others that is an attraction.
“It would require a significant investment, primarily from one of our clubs, but we’ve got some funds available as well and, if we can contribute — it would be a contribution — then we think it’s money well spent.”
Iniesta addressed the speculation, revealing there were still “little details” to resolve before deciding his next club.
“I said that I would not go to Europe and, apart from that, all possibilities are open,” he told beIN Sports. “They said I’m not going to China. Now they say Japan is an option and I’ve also heard Australia.
“You will know when I tell you. There are things to seal, little details, and I will try to choose the best option.”
The chief executives of Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory and Newcastle met A-League chief Greg O’Rourke yesterday to discuss their interest in signing big-name marquees. Adelaide United is also understood to be on board and Western Sydney open to discussion.
The parties also discussed how best to refresh the policy and marketability criteria of the centralised “guest marquee” fund of 2016, under which only Tim Cahill was signed to Melbourne City.