Iniesta plots next move

China or Japan options for legend

Madrid – Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta says he will decide “next week” whether to continue his decorated career in China or Japan.

The 34-year-old Barca icon is bringing the curtain down on his two-decade stay with the Spanish champs, with his last game for the club he joined at the age of 12 coming on Sunday against Real Sociedad.

“There are two scenarios, China or Japan, and each has its advantages,” he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“There are some minor details to be sorted out. We’re weighing everything up.”

The Spanish midfielder added: “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.

“One option is more advanced than the other.”

Last week, both China’s Chongqing Lifan and Japan’s Vissel Kobe, owned by Barca sponsors Rakuten, denied making big-money moves for the Spanish star.

Iniesta’s comments appear to rule out a move to Australia’s A-League, which had been suggested as his preferred destination by Spain’s Sport website.

Iniesta, a wine producer, is keen to expand his wine label from his native region of Castilla-La-Mancha into new markets. He stressed, though, that the overriding factor was quality of life the new position would offer his wife and three children. –