Iniesta expects to decide future in week to 10 days

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta revealed he would make a decision on his future in the next week to 10 days.

Iniesta, 34, will leave the LaLiga champions at the end of the season after 16 trophy-laden campaigns.

But where the Spain international is heading to next remains unclear, with Australia and Japan mooted as possible destinations after he was initially expected to be heading to China.

Iniesta – a winner of nine La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, two European Championships and a World Cup – said he was close to making a decision on his future.

“I’ve almost come to the end of my commitments with Barcelona,” he said on Thursday.

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“It’s true that I have various offers to think about and in the next week, 10 days, I’ll try and decide which one is the best for me.”

It had been reported for a few weeks that Iniesta was headed to China with the club sponsor of club Chongqing Lifan saying it was positive on the likelihood of a deal. However, on Monday the Chinese Super League club denied having any deal with the Barcelona star, and admitted there would be difficulty in completing such a move under the rules of the league.

Since, reports have spoken of interest in Japan and Australia, though Iniesta himself has refused to eliminate any choices, besides stating he would not join another team that played in Europe. 

After a victory over Villarreal on Wednesday, Iniesta had told beIN Sports the press would know when he told them the news and that he was focusing on Barcelona’s quest for an undefeated La Liga season, and then on the Spain national team for the 2018 World Cup. 

“They said I’m not going to China, now they say Japan is an option and I’ve also heard Australia,” Iniesta told beIN

“You will know when I tell you. There are things to seal, little details and I will try and choose the best option.

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“I try to enjoy each minute as there is not long to go and to be on the pitch is what I want. I have a week-and-a-half left to enjoy and when the season ends my mind will be on the national team and my future.

“It is not easy going so many games unbeaten. We have the chance to finish like that and it gives us a lot of enthusiasm.”

Iniesta has two games remaining in his Barcelona career, with the La Liga champions traveling to face Levante on Sunday and then a home date for his final game with the club against Real Sociedad the following Sunday. 

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Neymar returning to Barca would be ‘weird’, says Iniesta

Barcelona great Andres Iniesta believes it would be “weird” if Neymar returned to the La Liga champions.

Neymar, 26, made a shock switch from Barca to Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222million move last year.

But the Brazil international is already linked with a return to Spain, although Real Madrid are reportedly his most likely destination.

Iniesta, who will leave Barca at the end of the season after 16 trophy-laden campaigns at his boyhood club, said it would be unusual if Neymar returned to the Camp Nou.

“I don’t think there’d be any problems within the dressing room but for me, it would be a bit weird to see him back at Barca,” he said on Thursday.

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While Iniesta is leaving, Barca are reportedly set to sign Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann in the off-season.

The Spain international said the arrival of Griezmann, 27, would be a huge boost to Barca, though he pointed out that he does not know if the France international will join.

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“I know that Griezmann’s one of the best strikers around at the moment but I’ve no idea as to what will happen in the future,” Iniesta said.

“As it stands, he is an Atletico player and anything I say about him isn’t going to change that.

“If he does end up joining Barcelona, he would be a great signing.”

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‘He is an iconic player’ – Mourinho & Moyes back Rooney’s MLS switch

Jose Mourinho and David Moyes offered messages of support to Wayne Rooney as England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer reportedly considers a move to DC United.

Rooney was reportedly close to moving to MLS at the end of last season, but instead rejoined Everton at the end of a 13-year trophy-laden spell at Manchester United.

Moyes and Mourinho both coached Rooney during his period at Old Trafford, the Scot overseeing the striker’s breakthrough at Everton too, and both managers believe the 32-year-old can be a success in America.

Rooney’s former England team-mates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard both headed to MLS in the latter stages of their career, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira both working in the league now.

“When he made it at Everton, his boyhood club, the world was surprised with that kid,” Mourinho said of Rooney after United’s 0-0 draw at West Ham in the Premier League on Thursday.

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“Then he goes to Manchester United and has an incredible career. Then he’s in the Premier League again with Everton, so I think his career in England was perfect.

“What next? He decides. MLS? In MLS you have always some iconic players who are going to end their career there. You have Gerrard, Lampard, Vieira, so many of them. Now you have Zlatan and Wayne. So I just hope he enjoys it.

“Of course he will bring the attention that MLS needs to attract more people to steal from the other sports that normally the American people are in love with.”

Moyes predicted Rooney will go on to be an MLS success story if he completes a move to DC United that is reported to be worth around £12million.

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“Wayne has been a great player and probably one of the best players to grace the last era of football,” the West Ham boss said.

“I really enjoyed him at Everton – he was really young then – I really enjoyed him at Manchester United, he helped me a lot then.

“So, I’ve got to say, if he chooses to go, DC will be getting a good player. He can play in a couple of roles, he’s a brilliant goalscorer and I still think he has got more to give.”

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Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Liverpool join race to sign Malcom


Liverpool join Malcom chase


Liverpool have become the latest Premier League club to join the hunt to sign Bordeaux attacker Malcom, claims the Daily Mail .

The 21-year-old Brazilian is the latest young attacker to land on the Reds’ shortlist, joining Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic and Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey.

Malcom, who is thought to command a fee around £40 million, also has reportedly drawn interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal.


Man City lead Jorginho chase


Napoli are willing to sell midfielder Jorginho and Manchester City are the frontrunners to be the beneficiaries, reports the Daily Mail .

The Serie A side are willing to part with the Italy international for £53 million ($72M) and City, who have monitored the midfielder all season, thought to be in the lead for his services.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham are also in the mix, with Liverpool expected to be lurking as well.


Fekir plays down Liverpool links


Lyon forward Nabil Fekir insists he remains committed to the Ligue 1 outfit amid reports linking him with Liverpool.

Though the 24-year-old has not ruled out leaving this summer, he insists his focus is solely on finishing the season strongly with his current club and qualifying for the Champions League.

Read the full story on Goal!


Salah plays down Madrid rumours


Mohamed Salah insists this season is just the start of his Liverpool journey despite claims he is set to join Real Madrid.

The Egypt international has scored 43 goals in all competitions for the Reds this season, leading to a host of Europe’s biggest sides being linked with him.

But after being named the Merseyside outfit’s Player of the Season he claimed he still has plenty to give at Anfield.

Read the full story on Goal!


Neymar met with Madrid representative


Neymar met with a representative from Real Madrid multiple times while recovering from his foot injury in Brazil, according to AS .

The Brazil star posted photos on his Instagram with teenage sensation Vinicius Junior, who has agreed to join Real Madrid and may link up with the club this summer.

The meeting was arranged by the Madrid representative, who met secretly with Neymar multiple times in the month of March, as the club looks to help secure Neymar’s signature this summer.


Umtiti willing to depart Barcelona


Samuel Umtiti’s second season with Barcelona may be his last as he stands at an impasse over a new contract, according to  Diario Gol .

Umtiti is looking an annual salary of €14 million, which Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has balked at paying, with negotiations coming to a near stall.

As Umtiti has a €60M (£53M/$72M) release clause, the defender can get his desired contract elsewhere, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the mix to land him.

Not to be caught unprepared, Barca are looking at Clement Lenglet and Matthijs de Ligt as replacements.


Valencia set Rodrigo price


La Liga side Valencia have set the price for striker Rodrigo at €60 million (£53M/$72M) according to Marca .

Manager Marcelino does not want to lose Rodrigo, but knows that the market forces may force his sale, with an incoming bid likely.

But while the club will not sell the player for anything less than the €60M, if it receives an offer that high, it will negotiate.


Wolves target Silva


Newly-promoted Wolves are looking to add AC Milan midfielder Andre Silva to their squad for their return to the Premier League, reports the Sun .

The Portugal international made a £33 million ($45M) move from Porto last summer, but has only scored two goals in Serie A, though he did add six more in the Europa League.

While Silva previously stated his desire to remain with Milan, Wolves are being advised by the forward’s agent, Jorge Mendes.


Manchester United chasing Varane


Manchester United are willing to table an offer of €70 million (£62M/$83M) in order to land defender Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, claims  Don Balon .

The Red Devils would be willing improve the defender’s contract if he agreed to a move, and he is intrigued by a chance to re-unite with former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.

Real Madrid does not want to lose Varane but United may be willing to break the bank for a player they have long sought.


Chelsea to consider Mount for first-team football


Chelsea have told on-loan midfielder Mason Mount to return to the Blues for pre-season training as they consider him for the first team, reports the Sun .

While the plan was to have him spend two seasons on loan, 19-year-old Mount has impressed this season with Eredivisie side Vitesse, and has caused Chelsea to reconsider.

While he would not be guaranteed a first-team place, the expected upheaval in the Blues squad will provide him an opportunity to earn one.


Kurzawa wants England move


PSG may need to find a replacement for Layvin Kurzawa as the left-back looks for a move to England, reports RMC Sport .

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Kurzawa had the interest of Chelsea and Tottenham previously, while fellow London side Arsenal has also joined the race to sign the defender.


Everton to raid Newcastle for Lascelles


Everton are hoping to secure the signature of Newcastle defender and captain Jamaal Lascelles, reports the Mirror .

The Toffees are looking to pay about £25 million for Lascelles, which is similar to the fee paid to Burnley for Michael Keane last summer.

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‘This is just the start!’ – Real Madrid target Salah committed to Liverpool

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah insists his future is at the Premier League club, saying his team’s displays this season were “just the beginning”.

Salah was recognised for his incredible campaign by claiming a Player of the Season double at Liverpool’s end-of-campaign awards on Thursday.

The Egypt international has scored 43 goals in all competitions in his first season at Anfield, helping Jurgen Klopp’s men into the Champions League final.

And the 25-year-old, who is contracted until 2022, said he is committed to achieving even more at Liverpool, amid reports Real Madrid are interested in his signature.

“I’m very happy here, everything is fine,” Salah told reporters.

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“Of course I have got ambitions for the future with Liverpool. As you can see we had a great season, now we are in the Champions League final and everyone is excited.

“It is just the start. This is my first year here and it is the same for some other players. It is just the beginning.”

As they prepare for the Champions League decider against Madrid on May 26, Liverpool are also on the verge of securing a top-four Premier League finish ahead of hosting Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

Salah stated the Reds have already shown they can compete with, and beat, Europe’s best.

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“We are very comfortable we will be playing in the Champions League next season,” he said.

“On the way to the final we beat top teams like Manchester City and Roma. It is just the beginning.

“We want to qualify for the Champions League next season and then we want to win the Champions League final. We will play to win against Real Madrid.”

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