[JamesRoyale]

La Liga: Pique set for Barca return - Setanta Sports

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.

i really hope there is no truth to this rumor becuase he has great potential and i personally would regard him as our 3rd choice centre back. He has a great talent which he showed at Zaragoza last season.

[Adriano]

Pique is to good for barca i am hoping he doesnt go to barca

[mark08]

i do hope he stays as fergie has showed that he isnt worried about playing him now if teh first choice centre backs are out!

he's got a real future at united!

[funkdoctorspock]

Originally Posted by mark08

i do hope he stays as fergie has showed that he isnt worried about playing him now if teh first choice centre backs are out!

he's got a real future at united!

Is Pique happy with playing 13 matches a year?

Because thats the amount he has played this season.

I am really hoping he waits just a lil bit longer. There is definitely a role to play for him here.

The unfortunate reality for young players coming through the United ranks is if they don't want to wait a lil bit to break into the first team, they'll have to leave.

[Dew]

I really don't want Pique to leave. He has immense potential to be part of a bright future at United. I understand it must be frustrating for him to not get many games, but next season may be SAF should consider making Pique a regular starter in at least the games in FA Cup, Carling cup, etc to help him gain more experience and also keep Rio and Vidic fresh for the PL and CL. If either Rio or Vidic gets injured at any point, we must play Pique instead of putting Brown in that position. Please don't let him go.

[ViSh23]

The best thing for Pique will be moving only on loan... nothng else..
That will make him have playing time because at his age playing the main role in defence... its really risky... he is good... but am sure he will get better with time...

[mikeytim]

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

Is Pique happy with playing 13 matches a year?

Because thats the amount he has played this season.

I am really hoping he waits just a lil bit longer. There is definitely a role to play for him here.

The unfortunate reality for young players coming through the United ranks is if they don't want to wait a lil bit to break into the first team, they'll have to leave.

completely agree, 13 matches a year isnt enough but he has got so much potential. im sure we would all hate to see him go just like rossi last year (who i hope comes back one day!)

[JamesRoyale]

Barcelona agree £6million deal for Gerard Pique | the Daily Mail

Barcelona have agreed a £6million deal with Manchester United for Gerard Pique.

Sportsmail revealed last week that the 21-year-old defender was in negotiations over a return to his former club and the sides came to an agreement over the weekend.

Barcelona will pay £4m now and the rest depending on Pique's appearances.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants more Spanish players in his squad and sees 6ft 4in Pique as a long-term partner for captain Carles Puyol.

uh-oh. Seriously bad news to ruin my day.

[GocartMozart]

i'm strangely apathetic. i haven't seen enough from the lad and I really can't forget the Bolton gaff. Still, he's far better against a slower pace and his best skill, which is his vision would be better put to use in spain than in England where he needs to have speed as much as vision.

hasta luego

[JamesRoyale]

if he does go we will definatly need to sign someone young and who can play centre back very well, with some premiership expierience too. Right back too wouldnt be bad. *cough* Richards *cough*