Andres Iniesta

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Tribal fitba

Barcelona fear Chelsea interest for Iniesta

Chelsea have made a move for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

AS says Barca fear losing the Spain international to Chelsea, where the player's former mentor Henk ten Cate now is working alongside Avram Grant.

Barca president Joan Laporta, aware of Chelsea's interest, is ready to offer Iniesta a new deal worth £4 million-a-year, which would still fall well short of what he can earn at Stamford Bridge.

[EskWeston 696]

Bit of a feeble story. But a good player and would do well with us.

[Steve 10,227]

very good player i think he would fit right into our squad

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Sort of sums up half of tribal footballs stories....

Ronaldinho used to go to school with someones cousin who is the 2nd aunt of Linfields manager David Jeffries who had been on holiday in Barcalona at the week end, he was seen drinking in a cafe where Ronaldinho once bought a sandwich.

Barcelona have issued a hands off to the Irish league champions

[EskWeston 696]

Sort of sums up half of tribal footballs stories....

Ronaldinho used to go to school with someones cousin who is the 2nd aunt of Linfields manager David Jeffries who had been on holiday in Barcalona at the week end, he was seen drinking in a cafe where Ronaldinho once bought a sandwich.

Barcelona have issued a hands off to the Irish league champions

To be fair, Sky Sports ran with the story first

[captainmarvel 1]

wish we could sign him.. no way its going to happen though. Class player

[chrismada9 1,948]

It's from Tribal Football so I'm not going to believe this story

he'd be an awesome aquisition though. Nice player to sign

[True_Blue 469]

Where would he play thats the question.......

[chrismada9 1,948]

He's an ideal attacking midfielder and an apparent playmaker, and that's initially what we want at our club.

Edited January 11, 2008 by CJ Revo

[True_Blue 469]

He's an ideal defensive midfielder. He would probably replace Makelele when he leaves us next season.

Essien is his replacemt even tough he goes forward way to often.At the moment he is not needed.

[Bandicoot 3]

Sort of sums up half of tribal footballs stories....

Ronaldinho used to go to school with someones cousin who is the 2nd aunt of Linfields manager David Jeffries who had been on holiday in Barcalona at the week end, he was seen drinking in a cafe where Ronaldinho once bought a sandwich.

Barcelona have issued a hands off to the Irish league champions

Excellent post Stu :thumbsup:

[Mungii 3]

very good player i think he would fit right into our squad

Where can you fit him....if he comes Mikel, Essien or Ballack won't be able to play..

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Andrés Iniesta has pledged his long-term future to FC Barcelona, signing a deal keeping him at Camp Nou until June 2014.

Catalogue of success

The 23-year-old Spanish international midfielder, who has made 144 Primera Divisióand appearances for the Catalan club since being promoted from the youth ranks in December 2002, has accepted a four-year contract extension. He helped the Blaugrana win the 2006 UEFA Champions League and the Spanish title in 2005 and 2006. Iniesta has also scored four goals in 20 internationals, including eleven outings in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying as Spain reached this summer's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

From UEFA.com

[Badboy 1,526]

Dont need him any way !

[the wes 7,212]

Xavi is better than iniestahttp://' target="_blank">

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Quite agree with you, but he is too similar to Joe Cole in my opinion. Plus the fact Joe is a better player.

[Badboy 1,526]

Quite agree with you, but he is too similar to Joe Cole in my opinion. Plus the fact Joe is a better player.

Joe scores lots of goals the other kid has better vision.

[the wes 7,212]

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a world-record-breaking bid for Barcelona star Andres Iniesta.

The English side have identified the 24-year-old as the man to get Luiz Felipe Scolari's under-performers back on track, according to reports in Spain.

Chelsea are said to have made a £42million bid for the attacking midfielder two years ago and are set to renew their interest in the summer.

Barcelona were happy to let Deco move to Stamford Bridge before the start of the season because Iniesta was more than an adequate replacement.

And with the Brazilian now struggling to recreate his early-season form, Chelsea may share that sentiment, though there are doubts over how much spending that Roman Abramovich will sanction.

The well-connected Confidential column in Catalan-based Sport newspaper - which has close links to Barca - reports that Chelsea are preparing a bid, but that a move is likely to be resisted.

The Nou Camp side would expect a fee well in excess of the record £46m Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

Iniesta has established himself as an integral part of the La Liga runaway leaders and the national team, scoring six times in 34 appearances for Spain.

Abramovich, meanwhile, is said to be regretting not securing the signing of right-back Dani Alves in the summer.

The Brazil international has impressed at Barcelona this season, but Chelsea refused to go above £25.5m when trying to sign him from Sevilla. Barcelona pounced to conclude a deal that could eventually add up to £28m.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...a.html?ITO=1490