Thursday, 14th November, 2013
Barcelona are preparing to resolve the situation around Andres Iniesta's contract renewal by Christmas at the latest, according to Catalan daily Sport.
Iniesta, whose deal expires in 2015, was reported to have rejected the first Barcelona offer back in September, but things have progressed smoothly since then.
Club vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu had claimed last month that both Iniesta and Barcelona were keen to continue their partnership, and a significant salary hike is also expected.
The wage increase will be likely to make Iniesta the second-highest earner at Barcelona behind Lionel Messi and ahead of Xavi.
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"Negotiations are ongoing and both parties have the will to reach an agreement", Bartomeu had said. "Iniesta will be one of the highest paid because he is the best player in Europe."
The speculation at the moment centres around an extension until 2017, with the option of another year depending on his performances.
Iniesta has been one of Barcelona's longest serving players, and has himself expressed a desire to see out his career with the Catalan club.
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