Inter Milan are reportedly interested in signing Andres Iniesta from Barcelona in the summer.
Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Andres Iniesta has emerged as a shock target for Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri have opened talks with Barcelona over a move for the Spanish midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Iniesta is one of the staggering success stories of Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy, having rapidly progressed through the ranks at the youth setup before making the grade with the first team in 2002. Since then, he has been one of the cornerstones of Barcelona’s unprecedented success in La Liga and Champions League.
Over his 15-year senior career with the Blaugrana, Iniesta has won an astonishing 30 trophies, having also amassed more than 600 appearances for the club. During this period, he has achieved a lot of success with Spain as well, with whom he has won a World Cup and two European Championships.
Having been a key part of the club and national sides that are often hailed as one of the greatest of all times respectively at the club and international level, it goes without saying that Iniesta is rightly regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time.
However, with just 12 months remaining on his current deal with Barcelona, there are concerns that Iniesta might not end his career at Camp Nou. While several reports have claimed that the player will soon renew terms with the Catalan club, Gazzetta dello Sport claim that a new deal is yet to be offered.
This news seems to have sparked Inter Milan into life, who are set to make a sensational move for the 33-year-old in the summer. The Nerazzurri’s sporting director Piero Ausilio recently met with his Barcelona counterpart, Ariedo Braida when they discussed a possible move for Iniesta.
Inter are keen to make reinforcements in the summer following an underwhelming 2016/17 campaign in which they finished 7th in the Serie A. Their wealthy Chinese owners, Suning Group are willing to invest heavily in the summer in order to ensure a return to the top of Italian football.
With Luciano Spalletti set to be backed in the transfer market over his targets, a move for Iniesta is likely. And while the veteran midfielder is in the twilight years of his career at 33, he would be an upgrade over every midfielder that the Inter boss has at his disposal currently, thus making for a perfect short-term solution.
The switch to San Siro will also provide Iniesta the opportunity to continue playing in Europe and guide Inter in their ambitious project for the next few years. Any possible move, though, hinges solely on his renewal and it remains to be seen if Iniesta ends up calling time on his glorious Barcelona career this summer.
