Mohun Bagan have turned down the chance to sign Andres Iniesta for ISL – report

The Barcelona legend was reportedly keen on a move to the Indian Super League.

Iniesta in action for UAE club Emirates. (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi: Defending Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giants reportedly had a chance to secure the signature of 2010 World Cup winner with Spanish and FC Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.

Iniesta was one of the best players in the world during his prime and is now considered by many to be one of the best midfielders in the history of the sport. According to a tweet by TOI journalist Marcus Mergulhao, the Spaniard’s entourage offered the midfielder to Mohun Bagan for a possible move to the ISL, but the Mariners could not afford to take the former Barcelona man on board.

The demand from Iniesta’s side was around 8 million USD which is a whopping 66 crores in INR. The total value of the current Mohun Bagan team is 71 crores and the average money spent on other ISL teams is 30-40 crores INR. The Kolkata giants then had no other option to turn down the opportunity.

Day 1

Representatives of Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta contacted Mohun Bagan Super Giant after he decided to end his spell in Japan. The $8 million Iniesta asked for was simply too much, so the club simply responded with a smiley face. End of discussion.#IndianFootball #Transfersecrets

— Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) November 13, 2023

This was at a time when Iniesta was just finishing his stint in Japan with Vissel Kobe. So it is now understood that after the move fell through, the 39-year-old moved to UAE club Emirates.

The Indian Super League is a growing league in Asia and with the stars, all having plied their trade in the past, it is clearly paving the way for other superstars to take a stab at the league.