Sport

Pique tipped for Barcelona return
by Adam Marshall and Tom Adams, 15 May 2008

Pique: Barca contract on the table

Gerard Pique is set for an emotional return to Barcelona after Manchester United's Champions League final date with Chelsea, according to reports in Catalunya.

The up-and-coming centre back has acquitted himself well at Old Trafford when presented with rare opportunities and even managed a couple of goals this season.

Despite being rated as one of the most promising defenders in Europe, it appears as though the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson cannot break up the rock-solid partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will force the 21-year-old to look elsewhere for first-team football.

Barca were frustrated to lose Pique in the first place in 2004 and will now have to fork out in the region of €5 million (just under £4 million) to land the classy youngster.

El Mundo Deportivo claims a four-year contract will officially be signed at Camp Nou once the small matter of the Moscow showdown in the Champions League is out of the way.

Pique's agent, Arturo Canales, has refused to comment on speculation surrounding his client, telling setantasports.com: "He is only focused on helping his team to win the Champions League final."

Barcelona have not commented on the reports but any sale of Pique, who has played in La Liga on loan at Real Zaragoza, would probably have repercussions for Jonny Evans.

The highly-rated 20-year-old is wanted by Sunderland manager Roy Keane on a permanent basis after a second successful loan stint on Wearside but, although Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre can play in the middle, it would be a surprise if Ferguson decides to offload his best two back-up options at centre back.

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Comments

Diarmuid O'Neill - 18 May 2008 12:51: Ferdinand and Vidic would not lose there place to Pique in the next few years and he wants 1st team football so he should probably go but not for another year. 4 million is not enough for someone like him with his potential but Premiership football is a bit too buch for him, hes a La Liga player for sure because he seems to like a slow tempo match and not too rough.; Report this to a moderator

Utd - 15 May 2008 13:40: "No way" not everyone has Fabregas' abilities and enters the 1st team at his age especially centre backs who need to be fully developed before being able to hold down their starting places and showing their ability. The point is Barca didn't off load any of them they all left on their own accord and Barca were crying after Pique and Fabregas left. Then again don't let facts get in the way of a good slag. it really makes you look like you know your football, well done. Thanks for enlightening us all with your vast knowledge of the sport. lol; Report this to a moderator

Utd.... - 15 May 2008 12:57: Spot on, off loaded just like Fabregas no quite had the same effect though, think he would of cost about 4 times as much as fabregas too, good scouting Froogee; Report this to a moderator

Utd - 15 May 2008 12:49: Ya "no way" Barca off loaded him just like they off loaded fabregas etc, good one. If he goes we should look for 7-8m for him or if he stays we should sell Evans to sunderland for 6-7m those are the price tags put on them in the media, they seem high but thats the going rate now for quality youngsters. With that money they should sell silvestre for 3-4 m and use that 10m to buy lahm he can play either flank like Irwin used to and his contract is up soon so we can get him for that and he will settle in next year behind neville and evra and eventually make the right back slot his own the year after when neville retires. Plus we will still have the 50 -55 million to spend on 2 top Forwards after selling Saha or keep a bit of that budget for the january window if needed and add it to the following summers budget.; Report this to a moderator

No way... - 15 May 2008 12:28: ...Would this guy go barca, hes no where near the quality required to play for the catalans which is why they off loaded him to UTD in the first place, he'd be better suited at in the spuds defence, come on spuds make a obscene offer as you guys do, 60mil should do it; Report this to a moderator

PEPSI - 15 May 2008 12:19: HA HA HA hes crap anyway!!!!! Man Utd are cross dressers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; Report this to a moderator

Richie - 15 May 2008 12:01: Pique should not be allowed to leave. He's a quality defender, and the kind of player we need to cover for Rio or Vidic. 4 million is an absolutely insane price. Thats like letting him go for nothing!! He has a long term future at United...we need that kind of strength in deep to continue to win titles and have good runs in Europe; Report this to a moderator

uncle ledley - 15 May 2008 10:52: he was impressive on his year loand to spain. he was 1 of the best players of la liga last season so need to loan the man out.; Report this to a moderator

Karlito - 15 May 2008 10:46: I'd just loan him out for a full season in the premiership somewhere like Sunderland perhaps, the guy needs a good season under his belt. He's done nothing but impress me when ive seen him play so it'd be stupid to let him go.; Report this to a moderator

pet - 15 May 2008 10:33: Pique the best we have among the young lads why quit, he can't, and furgie promised him many agmes next season, now sell Piquen= and bring on who? yet Evans is being wanted by sunderland; Report this to a moderator

Venu - 15 May 2008 09:40: IF he did go it wouldn't be at that price!!!! and i don't think fergie is going to sell one of the few ball players in the back line.; Report this to a moderator

desdinova - 15 May 2008 09:30: 4mil ? Dont make me laugh. Heinze was 7mil. Besides Pique wont leave , Rio aint getting younger and Fergie promised Gerard more first team football next season.; Report this to a moderator

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