Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has made Gerard Pique his top priority in January, with an eye towards a £20m bid.
Pique moved to Manchester from Barcelona in 2004 and spent four years there, although one of those years was spent on loan at Real Zaragoza. He eventually returned to the Nou Camp for £5m in 2008, where he cemented a first team place and helped the Catalan club win La Liga four times and the Champions League twice.
Van Gaal has funds to spend in January even after United’s busy summer window, and has identified defence as the area that requires strengthening the most urgently. Doubts remain over their current defenders and the summer signings of Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw have only went some way towards easing their defensive problems.
Spanish star Pique has found himself down the pecking order at Barca since the arrival of Luis Enrique as head coach. The new boss has opted for Jeremy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano as his central defensive partnership, limiting the centre back to five appearances this season, and as such Pique may be tempted by a move away.
One problem that may stand in van Gaal’s way is Pique’s popstar girlfriend Shakira. The singer is reportedly unenthusiastic about moving to Manchester which could mean the offer from United to the player has to be unrefusable.
A club source called the potential deal tough but confirmed the interest; “The manager knows he still needs to strengthen his defence and would love to sign Pique. He is a former United player so he knows the club and Pique is a player he can build his defence around. Signing him from Barcelona won’t be easy though.”
By Andrew Bell (@AndrewBizzle009)
