Iniesta puts April 30 deadline on Barcelona future

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London, March 15: Barcelona great Andres Iniesta will reach a decision on his future by the end of next month.

Iniesta returned from a hamstring injury to help Barca to a 3-0 win over Chelsea at Camp Nou on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi's brace inspiring a 4-1 aggregate triumph in the last-16 tie.

The 33-year-old signed a "lifetime" contract extension earlier this season but his future has been the subject of mounting speculation over recent weeks.

Tianjin Quanjian were linked with a move for Iniesta, although the Chinese Super League club have issued a statement strongly denying any interest.

"The club will know before you," Iniesta told reporters after the Chelsea match.

"I have until April 30 to decide if I stay. I have to evaluate what's better for me and for the club."

Barcelona join Real Madrid and Sevilla among the Spanish contingent in the quarter-finals.

Madrid and Sevilla enjoyed impressive wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United respectively and Iniesta is keen to steer clear of Barca's LaLiga counterparts in Friday's draw.

"I want to avoid the Spaniards because we know each other too well," he added.

"We achieved the goal of reaching the quarter-finals against a tough opponent like Chelsea and that's our happiness."

Source: OPTA