Iniesta set for contract extension

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is set to agree a contract extension, according to president Sandro Rosell.

The 29-year-old Spain international has been with the club his entire career, after graduating from their youth setup and progressing to the Barca B team in 2001-02.

Rosell described Iniesta as a “key player” and said he hopes to be able to announce the extension in the near future.

“It is likely that the next great news for Barcelona will be the renewal of Iniesta’s contract,” he told TV3 programme ‘Hat-Trick’.

Iniesta made his Barcelona debut in October 2002 and has gone on to win six Liga titles in his time at Camp Nou.

Barcelona have made a positive start to life under Gerardo Martino, winning all three of their league games and picking up the Supercopa de Espana with an aggregate win over Atletico Madrid.

Rosell stated his belief that the club had appointed the right manager, following Tito Vilanova’s cancer relapse and subsequent enforced resignation.

“(Vilanova’s) relapse has been the worst news of my presidency. Hopefully he will win his battle but life goes on,” Rosell continued.

“We had thought already about Tata Martino the first time Vilanova needed to undergo treatment last season.”