Newcastle United fans on social media hilariously responded to Rafa Benitez’s cheeky claim that the club would prepare an offer for Andres Iniesta.
The 33-year-old central midfielder confirmed in a press conference on Friday, as reported by The Sun, that he would leave Barcelona in the summer.
Iniesta has spent 16 seasons at the Spanish giants, playing 669 games, and has won countless honours with the club during his stint.
The serial winner has lifted eight La Liga titles, as well as four Champions League trophies with Barcelona.
The midfielder’s conference preceded Benitez’s address of the media ahead of the Magpies’ game against West Bromwich Albion and this prompted the subject of Iniesta’s next club to be brought up.
“Do we know what team he is going to?” Benitez asked the room packed with journalists, as quoted by the Chronicle.
This question caused one member of the media to pipe up and suggest Newcastle United as his next destination, which in turn allowed the experienced manager to make a tongue-in-cheek comment.
“Maybe, we will see if we can prepare something for him, maybe he would like to come here,” Benitez cheekily teased.
While the Magpies manager made the comments in jest, at least one fan on Twitter wouldn’t rule out Iniesta arriving at St James’ Park as anything is possible with Benitez.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets about Benitez’s joke:
https://twitter.com/DARRENRICHAR/status/989852553218322433
Be sitting on the bench for Diame I reckon
— Zaharaddeen (@Zee530) April 27, 2018
Quick @toonphotography get the bridge pictures out for @andresiniesta8 #NUFC
— Sam (@Sam9nufc) April 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/AndrewJamesNUFC/status/989905582978162690
https://twitter.com/captlongslong/status/989856525874270210
Would love it to be true but very much doubt it, anything is possible with Rafa tho!
— Damon Hogg (@Dhogg96) April 27, 2018
His family own that tapas restaurant on the quayside.
— Garythetaxidriver (@taxidrivergaz) April 27, 2018