Out of favor in Barcelona, and Spain to a larger extent, center-back Gerard Pique is poised to depart the Camp Nou in January. But according to the Daily Express, it won't be to his former club, Manchester United.
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Per the report, the 27-year-old will reject a return to Old Trafford for an offer from Premier League favorites, Chelsea. United manager Louis van Gaal is keen to send £20 million for his services, while Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is preparing a more lucrative £24 million bid; however, two extenuating circumstances will prevent a transfer altogether.
Though Pique featured in England for multiple seasons, his heart resides in Spain—this even after remaining stationary on Luis Enrique's bench. "I left a lot of friends at United and I was really happy there, even though I did not play as much as I wanted to," he told Sportsmail (via the Daily Mail). "But I always said that I want to retire here [in Barcelona] and if it is possible, I want to stay here all my career."
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Barcelona's impending transfer ban will provide Pique every opportunity to do just that. Unable to sign anyone until season's end, Barcelona will not benefit from weakening an already shoddy defense. For all his faults, Pique is still averaging a modest 3.3 clearances and 1.5 tackles in league play.
At 27, his defending abilities are serviceable and necessary if Barcelona hopes to contend for a 23rd league title.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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