Gerard Pique no longer needed at FC Barcelona for the 22/23 season due to his ‘unprofessional conduct’: Reports
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Legendary Spanish defender Gerard Pique has been told by Xavi that he is no longer required at Barcelona.
It is believed that Pique’s conduct off the pitch has been deemed unprofessional and the 35-year-old’s deteriorating physical condition led to him being seen as surplus to requirements.
According to Spanish news outlet SPORT, Xavi’s main concern with his former team mate is his multiple business interests off the pitch, and it is also believed that the Catalan club owe Pique an estimate of £34.3 million in wages. But director of football Mateu Alemany will look to convince the defender to settle for less than he is owed.
The Barcelona boss is looking to build his team around a fresh defence that he can put his full faith in, and according to Xavi himself, Pique cannot provide that anymore.
It has been reported that Pique is confident that he can still be a great asset for Xavi and the club, having made 602 appearances for Barcelona, he is unwilling to give up his time at the Camp Nou. He has vowed to train harder than ever and is willing to ditch some of his off field interests.
What did Gerard Pique say about this?
The 35-year-old is said to have spoken with manager Xavi on Monday and was told he’s no longer required at the club.
Pique has been a mainstay in the Barcelona defence since 2008 and didn’t take the news well, according to SPORT. When president Joan Laporta told Pique the Blaugrana would be looking at a new centre back, he replied: “I’ll be a starter. If you have the guts, bring the best central defender in the world, who will come as a substitute.”
The former Spain international has a contract until 2024 however and still sees himself as an important part of Barcelona’s future.
It’s believed the Catalan giants owe Pique an astonishing £34.3 million in wages too, something director of football Mateu Alemany will be looking to settle. Barcelona are set to sign Andreas Christensen as a free agent in the coming weeks and are interested in Sevilla star Jules Kounde. Pique isn’t the only defender Xavi is trying to move on, with Clement Lenglet’s future also up in the air.
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