Midfield maestro believes he will stay put.
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Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has dismissed the rumours that he is set to leave the club and has insisted that he fully expects to sign a new deal with the Spanish champions, Sky Sports reports.
Speculation has grown over the past week suggesting that Premier League sides, and cross city rivals, Manchester City and Manchester United are set to take advantage of the delay in his agreeing new terms by making a move to bring him to England.
However, the 29-year-old has moved to shrug the rumours off, and told reporters before his country’s final World Cup qualifier against Georgia that he would be staying at the Nou Camp beyond the expiration of his current deal.
“You have to be where you want to be, and Barca is the place for me,” Iniesta told Movistar’s webpage.
“The club knows that and wants me to stay, so I hope and expect to spend the years I have left playing there.”
One player who did leave Spain over the summer to make his way to England was Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil, and the Germany international’s switch to Arsenal surprised Iniesta.
“I was surprised Real Madrid sold him,” he continued.
“Right now he is one of the best in the world when it comes to linking up with and getting the most out of other players.”
Barcelona still boast a 100% record in La Liga this season, and Iniesta was quick to praise new coach Gerardo Martino.
“Tata has come in and kept things ticking along,” he added. “The philosophy he believes in and gets across is very similar to the one we have had all along.
“I am hoping for a great year and that is the way things are shaping up.”