If the A-League lands Iniesta, it would be the all-time coup for Australian football
It might be unlikely, but knowing the A-League is at least in the mix to bring Andres Iniesta to play in Australia is the most tantalising news our domestic competition has had in ages.
Iniesta's honours
- La Liga titles: 9
- UEFA Champions League titles: 4
- FIFA World Cup champion: 2010
- European Championship titles: 2
Iniesta, a nine-time La Liga champion with FC Barcelona, a four-time Champions League winner, and the scorer of the goal that won Spain the FIFA World Cup in 2010, would be an absolute coup. A transfer to end all transfers for the A-League.
The midfielder's time at Barcelona will come to an end after the current European club season, with his club seeking an historic La Liga win without losing a single match — a fitting way for Iniesta to confirm his ninth league title in Spain.
After that, he's open to offers, with a move away from Europe to Asia or — fingers crossed — Australia mooted.
If you thought Alessandro Del Piero was big for the A-League, think bigger. Where the Italian star of Sydney FC fame brought with him goals and some of the best finishing boots football could offer, Iniesta is truly a notch above.
A man who can control a game and rip a defence apart with a telling pass or magical dribble, Iniesta is the complete package. An attacking midfielder of such rare, delightful quality, that watching him play on Australian soil would be a footballing education for all involved.
External Link: Andres Iniesta scores the winner in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final
Already, A-League champions Melbourne Victory, as well as runners-up Newcastle Jets and deposed champs Sydney FC have met with A-League chief Greg O'Rourke to discuss bringing back marquee signings to Australian competition.
Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers are also reportedly open to discussions over marquee players.
With Iniesta dropping big hints that Australia is at least being considered, the Spanish dynamo would have rocketed to the top of the agenda at those talks.
"I won't name who but I do understand that A-League clubs have expressed interest, and that's a start," FFA chief executive David Gallop said.
"He'll have offers from around the globe but the A-League offers a great competition to play in and the Australian lifestyle, and we saw with Del Piero and others that is an attraction.
"It would require a significant investment, primarily from one of our clubs, but we've got some funds available as well and, if we can contribute — it would be a contribution, not the bulk of what he could earn — then we think it's money well spent."
But how likely is it?
Well, that's where it gets tricky. Japanese club Vissel Kobe looked to be a frontrunner for the Spaniard's signature, though it has distanced itself from reports of an offer worth in excess of $40 million a season.
Iniesta has also been linked with a lucrative move to the well-monied Chinese Super League. He has recently said he's keeping his options open.
"I said that I would not go to Europe and, apart from that, all possibilities are open," Iniesta told beIN Sports.
"They said I'm not going to China. Now they say Japan is an option and I've also heard Australia.
"You will know when I tell you. There are things to seal, little details, and I will try and choose the best option."
The main obstacle facing the A-League is money. As a free agent, Iniesta would not command a transfer fee requiring separate payment to Barcelona. But as a result, he'd expect a serious personal pay packet.
The FFA recently announced a new $3 million war chest for marquee signings, but given that's a sliver of the figures being bandied about over the reported Vissel Kobe interest, it might not be enough to bring a drawcard like Iniesta Down Under.
For context, Del Piero was the highest-paid footballer to ever play in Australia when he signed for Sydney FC in 2012. He was paid a reported $3.5 million for each of his first two seasons.
External Link: Andres Iniesta's dribbling skills, goals, assists and passes
Nevertheless, Spanish media at least provide some speculative signs of encouragement, with news publication Sport claiming Australia is Iniesta's preferred destination.
Miss out on Iniesta, and the A-League will look elsewhere for its perhaps smaller-stature marquees, with O'Rourke pondering the effect big-star names would have on a league that could sorely do with a boost.
"We will determine with [club CEOs] how this is going to work. Do we go out and use $3 million to go and hook one big fish, or three small ones?" O'Rourke told AAP.
"There's some history that would say that Del Piero, when he was here with [Emile] Heskey and Shinji Ono was actually quite amplifying."
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